Esmir Bajraktarevic: "I Thought It Was A Penalty"

"I looked at it after the game real quick and it looks like a clear penalty."

Photo By ©J. Alexander Dolan

In the 22nd minute, New England Revolution winger Esmir Bajraktarevic went to ground as shouts for a penalty rained down.

Initially, none was given but Video Assistant Referee — PRO Director of Video Review — Gregory Barkey called for Referee Wesley Costa to head to the monitor. Even after Barkey’s recommendation, Costa ruled that no penalty had occurred. He explained how he came to that decision when asked by pool reporter Frank Dell’Apa of The Boston Globe.

“The referee observed the defender cleanly playing the ball, and no foul was committed," said Costa.

But the replay appears to show a Toronto defender making contact with Bajraktarevic’s foot, effectively stomping on his cleat after making contact with the ball.

While Caleb Porter didn’t want to comment as he hadn’t seen a replay, Bajraktarevic thought it was a clear penalty.

“Yeah, I thought it was a penalty. I mean, I looked at it after the game real quick and it looks like a clear penalty,” the youngster said. “I'm not going to complain about it. It's fine. I mean, we should have put away our chances either way. So it is what it is.”

As Bajraktarevic mentioned, New England should have put away their chances. If they did, the missed call wouldn’t have mattered.

But after tallying over 20 shots (six on target), New England was unable to break through in the final third and suffered yet another defeat in MLS play. With the Eastern Conference as strong as its ever been, the Revolution are digging themselves an early hole that could prove difficult to climb out of.

New England Revolution 0 - Toronto FC 1: 3 Thoughts

While the result was disappointing, Bajraktarevic’s play is anything but. He continued to excel in his second start of the season as he racked up four shots, 91 percent pass completion, one chance created, and 63 touches.

The youngster continues to go at opponents with no fear and his play is as pure as it has ever been. If New England didn’t have so many matches, he likely would be the out-and-out starter for Porter’s squad.

After the loss, Porter once again took some time to praise Bajraktarevic.

“Yeah, he’s a really good young player,” the head coach stated. “You’ve heard me talk about him. I thought there were a couple moments where he gets in around the goal there, where he could shoot or cross. That will come. Those decisions will come. I really thought there was one late in the game where he ended up passing it to Henry [Kessler], where I would’ve liked to see him shoot that because he’s faced up on his left foot in a really good angle to score, so he needs to be a little bit more selfish in that situation. I think it’s a young player learning that he needs to be the guy at times, and it’s not just Carles [Gil] to find the goal all the time. It’s got to be him if he’s going to be one of our key attacking players.”

Bajraktarevic was asked about those comments regarding “being the guy” by

Seth Macomber

and the youngster believes that with maturity he will know when to be selfish as Porter put it.

“I think I had a couple of shots on goal today and a couple of opportunities,” the winger mentioned. “I guess it just comes with maturing, and the more I play, the more experience I get. I think it'll come and I've talked to Caleb [Porter] about that. It's all just trusting the process.”

But for now the Revolution will be left thinking about what could have been. Fans will have to wait yet another week to see their beloved club pick up their first MLS win of the year.