Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC 2010-04-15

In the Tax Day MLS match between Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC, I have to say that John Harkes redeemed himself in my eyes by not saying anything uneducated in regard to referee calls. For example, in the 58th minute of the match when a foul was called on a Philly defender for an ugly late trip against an attacker near the touch line, J.P. Dellacamerara questioned what color the card would be, even referencing the possibility of a goal scoring opportunity denied (which is wasn’t!). John Harkes said absolutely nothing. After a few more comments from Mr. Dellacamerara, Mr. Harkes only recounted what happened without adding opinion on the referee’s foul call and subsequent yellow card. (Good for you, Mr. Harkes! Thanks for not saying something stupid.) The only gripe I had about Mr. Harkes in this game was his repeated mispronunciation of Stefan Frei’s first name, the ‘keeper for Toronto. Mr. Harkes, like many Americans unfamiliar with this common European name, pronounced Stefan as Stefaaahn. I don’t get it! No one pronounces Jonathan as Jonathuuuhn. Nor does anyone say Prestuuuuhn. I’m sure Mr. Harkes doesn’t say Stephuuuuhn for Stephen. So why Stefaaahn when it’s pronounced Stef’n? This is just a pet peeve of mine. But on the other hand both Mr. Harkes and Mr. Dellacamerera did use the inaccurate term “handball”, which appears nowhere in the FIFA Laws of the Game. Lots of announcers use this term instead of the correct phrase, “deliberately handling the ball.” I don’t know if I can hope this will ever be corrected.