PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Spirit general manager Chris Wright said Monday he is optimistic about an appeal to the Major Indoor Soccer League about a disputed call against the Baltimore Blast 'because the tapes don't lie.'
And if Wright gets his way, the next outing for his team in the MISL playoffs will be for a replay of Game 2 instead of proceeding with Game 3.
Wright Sunday filed a protest with the MISL over the disputed call he claims cost the Spirit a 6-5 overtime loss to the Blast. The game on Saturday evened their playoff series at one game apiece.
Pittsburgh was leading 2-0 in the first quarter when the Spirit's Paul Child took a pass from Marcio Liete and kicked the ball to Blast goalie Keith Van Eron. Van Eron fell on the ball -- apparently behind the goal line -- but the red goal light did not go on.
The referees ruled it no goal, but the Spirit disagreed.
Wright and Spirit coach John Kowalski reviewed television tapes of the play and filed the protest, asking Commissioner Earl Foreman to decide quickly whether the game would be replayed.
'I had a long talk with referee Jeff Mantel after the game and showed him that the goal line was two inches behind the line of the goal post,' Wright said. 'The edge of the goal post and the goal line are supposed to be lined up.'
'I think that totally endorses our position,' Wright said. 'Of course, the goal judge, who was obviously from Baltimore, missed it, too. And the referee was out of position to make the call.'
'In the 4-year history of the league, no protest has yet been upheld on a judgment call,' Wright said. 'But I'm optimistic because the tapes don't lie.'
'We didn't win 31 games this seaon as basically an expansion franchise to be turned back now by some official,' he said. 'I feel strongly about it.'
The third and deciding game of the series is scheduled Wednesday at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena.
