I started going off on a tangent while writing a comment on Soccer by Ives post about the FIFA decision to not award Ireland a 33rd spot in the upcoming World Cup. I am going to post it here word for word - and maybe I'll expound on it later.

OK - bad calls and non calls are part of the game. Cheating happens at some level in every game, whether it is shirt pulling or time wasting.... it is up to the ref to call it. This time the ref didn't call it.

The real call here is to improve the officiating, or enhance it. I think an in-game review procedure should be in place leveraging review methods from other sports. Use a model similar to hockey where the goals can be reviewed, use tennis' hawkeye to validate the ball crosses the goal line into the net. Award one "NFL" challenge per side per half to contest a "reviewable" decision (goals, goals scored bu unfair advantage (player in an offside position, hand balls would fall into this category), infringement, any change in possession awarded by corner kicks or throw-ins). Fouls, bookings, ejections, and offside calls would not be reviewable.

I can go on and on - but the point is there is precedent in many other sports that is accepted the world over for in game replay. There is NO reason not to incorporate it into the game at some level. To those that say it would hold up the game - I'd say not any more than arguing with the referees' do. Look at Tennis - it takes 25 seconds at the most to review whether a ball is in or out. A hand ball might take a bit longer to sort out...but no longer than an instant replay in the NFL would take. And by limiting the number of challenges per half - the managers would be careful when to use their challenge.

November 12, 2009
Hank and Sean are joined by New England Soccer News correspondent Brian O'Connell to wrap up the ups and downs of the New England Revolution season.

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Hank: revsmidnightride [at] gmail.com or follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/midnightrevs

Sean: revolutionrecap [at] gmail.com or http://blog.revolutionrecap.com

Hank and Sean discuss the New England Revolution and the amazing turn of events that led them to clinching a playoff spot.

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Hank: revsmidnightride [at] gmail.com or follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/midnightrevs

Sean: revolutionrecap [at] gmail.com or http://blog.revolutionrecap.com

Hank Alexandre (The Midnight Ride) and Sean Donahue (Revolution Recap) talk New England Revolution. The missed opportunities against Chicago, Paul Mariner's Departure and all sorts of Playoff Scenarios IF THE REVS GET IN!

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Hank: revsmidnightride [at] gmail.com or follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/midnightrevs

Sean: revolutionrecap [at] gmail.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revolution-Recap/

Hank Alexandre (Midnight Ride) and Sean Donahue (Revolution Recap) combine forces once again to bring to you hard core cutting edge insight to the New England Revolution.

This week Hank and Sean go off on the debacle that was last week's game and why Wells Thompson is still starting over Mauricio Castro, plus we take a look at the rest of the games for the Revolution as well as the rest of the league as we break down various playoff scenarios.

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Hank: revsmidnightride [at] gmail.com or follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/midnightrevs

Sean: revoulutionrecap [at] gmail.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revolution-Recap/

Hey - if you haven't heard - the TPL is the Twitterverse Players League, and it is also your opportunity to vote for your favorite Revs players - Taylor Twellman is already through to the next round, but Chris Tierney is locked in a tight battle for second place in his group... the top two in each group go through - so get out there and vote! And when your done, clear your internet cookies and vote again. Repeat as often as possible... voting ends Friday!

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Hank Alexandre of the Midnight Ride and Sean Donahue of Revolution Recap collaborate in a return to the airwaves. If you missed the live broadcast on USTREAM, download this podcast - sure to be a collectors item.

The Midnight Ride is collaborating with Revolution Recap and is finally back on the interwebs. Thanks to Sean Donahue of Revolution Recap for carrying the show as I worked through my technical issues. Let us know what you think of the new format as Sean and I work out the kinks and come up with a name for this burgeoning disaster.

Hope you enjoy the show.

Hank revsmidnightride [at] gmail.com or follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/midnightrevs

Sean revoulutionrecap [at] gmail.com