Atlanta United’s Gonzalo Pineda very unhappy with referees

NEW YORK -- Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda has had enough of the officiating in MLS games.

He wasted no time in his comments after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium in criticizing referee Drew Fischer as well as Alex Chilowicz, who was the lead official in the team’s 1-0 win against Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz last week. MLS referees are managed by the Professional Referee Organization.

What upset Pineda the most was the officials not calling what Pineda felt were clear fouls on goalkeeper Brad Guzan in both games. The team captain’s left leg was examined by trainers on the field in the first half after NYCFC’s Gabriel Segal slammed into him as both were going for a cross. This followed another late challenge against Guzan in the Red Bulls game.

“I just saw Brad was tackled and that to me is unbelievable,” Pineda said. “That is not even a yellow, which for me was already a bad call. But nothing is to me really bad. And that’s the second time no call. I need to take care of my players because the referees are not doing that with my players.”

Guzan, whose left knee was wrapped after the game, declined to speak.

“It feels like the referees didn’t take care of Brad but they took care of the other player,” Pineda said. “Maybe it’s fair. But I feel like it’s always like this.”

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Through seven games, Atlanta United (4-1-2) has suffered the third-most fouls (92) in MLS. It is fourth in fouls committed (101), according to the MLS website. NYCFC was called for 17 fouls on Saturday. Atlanta United was called for 11.

Pineda said he didn’t understand where 10 minutes of stoppage time came from against NYCFC when there were only three minutes added after the first half.

“Many, many games where we are chasing the result, and they get three or four (minutes) and it just it feels like that if this were in other times against us it’s not, so that’s what I mean. It’s not about one call or the other, it’s about the consistency in their calls.”

Pineda said he didn’t know if he would be fined. He said he was pointing out specific situations. He also didn’t like a yellow card given to Giorgos Giakoumakis in the first half in which replays showed there was very little, if any, contact between the striker and an NYCFC defender.

He said he expressed his displeasure with the calls and lack of calls with Fischer. Pineda said he the response was similar to one he’s received from officials in past games: The referee is always correct.”

Pineda didn’t yet have an opinion on the red card given by Fischer to Franco Ibarra in the 62nd minute. The call ended a bizarre series of decisions made by Fischer. First, he gave James Sands, who went in for a 50-50 ball with Ibarra, a yellow. Then, Fischer reviewed the play, walked across the field to NYCFC’s sideline and rescinded the yellow card to Sands. Fischer then walked a few yards to Atlanta United’s bench. Reaching that, he pulled out a red card and showed it to Matheus Rossetto, who was about to come in for either Amar Sejdic or Ibarra. Realizing Rossetto wasn’t in the game, Fischer then located Ibarra, who was standing in the middle of the field, and showed him the red card.

Atlanta United winger Derrick Etienne had a goal called back after a sideline referee judged him to be offside. Both Pineda and Etienne wondered why Fischer didn’t review the play. Pineda pointed out the goal scored by Giorgos Giakoumakis earlier this season in which he was judged offside and again, that play wasn’t reviewed.

Etienne also pointed out a play in the first half in which he was attempting to trap a long pass behind NYCFC’s last line. The ball got slightly ahead of Etienne. The NYCFC defender ran over Etienne and made no attempt to play the ball. No foul was given. Etienne described the calls as inconsistent.

Pineda was more argumentative and declarative.

“We need to earn respect from the referees and from the league,” Pineda said. “We need to win more games, and we need to win more trophies because we don’t have the respect and I’m very, very upset with the way they manage the game.”

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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule

Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0

March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1

March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1

April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0

April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1

April 15 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.

April 23 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1

April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox

May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.