Brian Mullen’s punishment for breaking Steve Zakuani’s leg could be announced today, tomorrow at the latest.
Here is what I see, it was a full bloodied, red mist induced tackle. Looking at the replays Mullen led with his feet and went in to send a message. There was incidental contact with the ball, but I stand by the incidental part of that statement. It was a crunching tackle seconds after he was in a hard tackle by Grant Wahl that Mullen was looking for a call that never came.
Let’s not forget what Mullen had to say after the game, those comments did not help his cause.
Yeah it’s a hard game and this is a physical league, but there is a difference between a hard tackle and a vicious tackle, and every pro who plays this game knows that.
The penalty that Mullen is given will indicate how seriously the league takes this. Zakuani is one of the most exciting layers in the league with the ball at his feet. He’s a former number-1 over all draft pick, and his future was very, very bright. And lets not forget that bright future is worth millions of dollars to the league in transfer fees to bigger leagues in Europe.
Mullen did not go in to break Zakuani’s leg, but it was in retaliation, and it was reckless.
If Mullen gets hit hard with a big fine and a 10+ game suspension then a message has been sent to the other “committed” players who are maybe not as good with their feet. It says that this type of play is unacceptable, play recklessly and there will be consequences.
Remember how Ljungberg used to finish a game with his legs covered in bruises because of this type of play? Occasionally referred to in Seattle as the ”Hack-a-Fred tactic” as the same would happen to Montero.
Why would skilled players want to be part of a league that allows that to happen?
The League has a chance to show that skilful players are wanted here, that their contribution is more important than the heavies. It’s in the hands of the league now.
4 Comments
Yes, while I don’t follow the sounders I do think players like Ljungberg and Zakuani are important for MLS to be taken seriously. If the leage wants to keep attracting good players after more than a retirement contract then they have to stop the hacking and allow players to play. A great take on Mullen and his actions.
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