MLS side giants, LA Galaxy were held to a goal-less encounter over the weekend by Vancouver Whitecaps. LA Galaxy were unable to finally crack the 10-man opposition, so settled for the draw.

The Whitecaps player, Matias Laba was shown the way out during the encounter as early as the 28th minute. The Los Angeles based side couldn’t employ their advantage to salvage a draw if not an outright win. LA Galaxy star player Steven Gerrard missed the game due to an injury.

The red card elicited a lot of reactions. The card was controversial and it greatly influenced the turn of events during the game. During the early-season encounter, Matias Laba was sent off for a sliding tackle on LA Galaxy’s Mike Magee. The referee deemed the defender’s tackle too much, even though the defender won the ball with the tackle. The studs of the defender were showing during the tackle, hence the referee, Jair Marrufo, gave him the matching orders even though it was just before the half-hour mark. The Whitecaps fans were visibly pissed at the decision of the referee. The fact that the Whitecaps had striker Masato Kudo suspended by the MLS Disciplinary Committee prior to the encounter, made the straight red card more painful.

There were at least three other red cards issued during the weekend round of games at the MLS. Surprisingly, LA Galaxy head coach, Bruce Arena condemned the straight red card.

Arena said: “There’s just been too many red cards in this league, it’s ruining games. Those are difficult games and it doesn’t make the game entertaining and I don’t think the fans like it. It seems like every game in this league, there’s a red card, and it’s been tough.”

Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson after the match agreed with Arena. Carl said: “I agree with Bruce’s comments. There are too many red cards,” Robinson told reporters. “Fans pay their hard-earned money to watch games of football and watch the best players on the field 11v11. The players are unsure. We’ve got one of the top midfield players in the league, whose made a tackle today, and he’s been sent off. I’m not sure, why.”