Through Sunday the frequency of red-card ejections in MLS had
more than doubled from last year—from one every 4.3 games in
1997 to one every 2.1 in '98—thanks to FIFA's crackdown on
tackles from behind. Even more startling, however, has been the
phenomenal success of shorthanded sides. Of the eight teams that
had played 10 on 11 for at least 30 minutes in a game this
season, five had been victorious. What's more, almost as many
shorthanded goals (12) had been scored as man-advantage goals
(13).
What gives? According to several players, being a man down
improves a team's focus without debilitating its offense. "It's
like when people go blind and their hearing becomes much more
intense," says Miami Fusion defender Cle Kooiman. "Your
communication level rises, and you become more aware of what's
going on around you."
Tactically, shorthanded teams almost always rely on
counterattacks to burn overly aggressive opponents. "We'll drop
everyone back inside our own half and let the other team walk
out with it," says defender Peter Vermes of the Colorado Rapids.
"When we win the ball, our objective is to get it wide and let
our guys run it down the sideline. When the defense converges on
the ball, we'll switch it to the other side. Then it's just a
footrace to the goal."
While some players weren't surprised when they learned of the
man-advantage jinx, others were stunned. "That's not supposed to
happen," says Los Angeles Galaxy defender Dan Calichman. "Maybe
we should try and get a red card in the next game."
Issue date: May 4, 1998
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