Football
ESPN staff 8y

Red Bulls' Jesse Marsch: Non-calls in draw at LA 'really hard to swallow'

The Red Bulls' 2-2 draw at the LA Galaxy was "really hard to swallow" after New York was denied two penalty claims on Sunday, coach Jesse Marsch said.

The visitors held a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes to play, and though Mike Magee got a goal back for the Galaxy, the Red Bulls thought that LA keeper Brian Rowe had brought down both Alex Muyl and Gonzalo Veron in the box.

But referee Hilario Grajeda did not blow his whistle either time, Ashley Cole equalized for LA in the 89th minute, and Marsch was sent to the stands in stoppage time for offering his opinion.

"It's really hard to swallow because I've got a group of players that are confused," Marsch said after the game. "Because I think we're all having a hard time understanding how this is happening and why.

"We can't dwell on it, we have to just understand it, and I think it's obvious for everyone to see, the whole league was watching tonight.

"I think everybody can see that it's painful, but again, we can't dwell on it, whine about it, or make excuses, but it is perplexing and confusing, and it's hard to understand."

Midfielder Sacha Kljestan said he also expected MLS to examine the penalty decisions.

"Of course," he said. "The whole league had a good view of the non-calls."

The draw cost the Red Bulls a chance to pull with two points of New York City's lead in the Eastern Conference, but Marsch said the perceived injustice would drive his team forward.

"It's gonna make us stronger, we're gonna find a way to get stronger," said Marsch. "I have nothing but pride right now for my players and the way that they poured their hearts and guts into the game, and that's what makes it difficult to swallow. Makes it hard to understand."

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