Here's three things that crossed my mind after watching the first half of tonight's Orlando City - New York City game.
MLS officiating remains rugged. Tonight's official, Allen Chapman, has called a really loose game. By loose, read full of fouls and direct, physical play. This isn't new; MLS officiating has always had a reputation for that. But when you're looking to improve the perception of your league, it doesn't help that officials the game in such a way that League 2-caliber defenders can shut down players like Sebastian Giovinco. More importantly, calling the game that way absolutely kills the pace and flow of the game, as foul upon retaliatory foul mounts up, and officials struggle to get hold of the game.