The game in 100 words (or less): Anytime you check the tags list at the bottom of a game recap, and you find the game’s referee among them, you know something went horribly awry. If you scroll down, you’ll find that Jair Marrufo was in charge of San Jose Earthquakes’ 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Avaya Stadium on Sunday, and probably deduce (correctly) that he had a shocker of an afternoon and probably (most definitely) greatly affected the outcome of the game. (Video of said shenanigans can be found below.) The victory sees San Jose (14 points) climb to spots in the Western Conference, from sixth to fifth, where they now reside two points ahead of Sporting KC, who presently occupy the sixth and final playoff place out West.
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Three moments that mattered
29' — Bingham leaps across goal to deny Dwyer — Much of the first half was spent this way, with Sporting winning the ball inside the Earthquakes’ half and created quick, easy chances from out wide. David Bingham up to the challenge when called into action, though.
55' — Dwyer tripped in the box, Marrufo swallows his whistle — This is a truly spectacular no-call on 100-percent, no-doubt-about-it penalty. What’s worse, not only is Marrufo on the scene, but the far-side assistant referee is perfectly positioned as well.
Moments before Wondolowski's PK goal Dwyer goes down on the opposite end. PK or na? https://t.co/r8SSXYq5nv
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) April 24, 2016
What do you know, not even five minutes later…
59' — Melia takes Dawkins down, Marrufo gives the PK — Two wrongs don’t make a right, so you can’t say, “you didn’t call ours, therefore you can’t call theirs,” but we sure wish that’s how it worked.
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Man of the match: Jair Marrufo
Goalscorers: Wondolowski (59' - PK)