A dramatic end to Sunday night's MLS gme between San Jose Earthquakes and New York Red Bulls saw San Jose come from a goal down to win with a 90th minute penalty. The penalty was the subject of much controversy and New York's Costa Rican defender Roy Miller was at the heart of it.
Miller handled the ball for the penalty award. San Jose's Chris Wondolowski stepped up, only to see hist effort be saved by the Red Bulls keeper. The referee immediately pointed for the penalty to be re-taken as Miller was encroaching into the area before the kick. Wondolowski made no mistake with the second effort.
[youtube
]Miller told the MLSsoccer.com yesterday that he deliberately encroached, hoping to put Wondolowski off.
I did it on purpose with the thought that Wondolowski would miss. Simply, I wasn’t in agreement with the situation that was going on and the penalty kick being given, because for me, the handball didn’t have to be called but some refs call it and some don’t. I did it so that if he made it, he would have to do it again and then he missed. I had the unfortunate luck that Luis saved the initial attempt
It may have even worked if it wasn't for that pesky ref.
h/t NY Times Soccer
