The Ruling of the OG (and how I believe it’s actually the correct call)

Hey everyone. Crazy result we just witnessed. I wanted to post my thoughts about Blanco’s shot that people believe should have been his hat trick. There’s been a lot of debate on whether or not it should or shouldn’t be an own goal, and I believe that the correct ruling was made.

Once the ball was cleared out of the box and Blanco obtained possession, he put the ball into the box. When he kicks the ball, his initial ball is deflected by a Minnesota defender BEFORE reaching the keeper. It’s a very slight deflection, but without the deflection from the defender, the ball never makes it close to the keeper, and subsequently the keeper never puts the ball in his own net.

If Blanco’s initial ball was only touched by the keeper, then it would be a Blanco goal, hat trick, party in Soccer City. But I believe since the ball was deflected twice, that the correct call was made.