Real Salt Lake vs. D.C. United: Referee Scores Both Goals in a 1-1 Draw

Normally, I am not one to complain about a referee's decision. I am not one to get upset, yell, scream and swear from the sidelines, or blame the referee for the outcome of a game. 

As a coach, I teach my young players to respect the call and play on, no matter how bad it is.

Every once in a while, however, a game comes along where all of my coaching philosophy goes out the window, and the referee gets the blame.

On Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah, Major League Soccer referee Terry Vaughn did what no referee should do and greatly influenced the outcome of a match between D.C. United and Real Salt Lake.

Thanks to two horrible calls that penalty kicks were awarded on, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.

Following nearly a half where the two teams battled for possession and both had a few scoring chances, Vaughn awarded the first penalty kick to Real Salt Lake.

In the 38th minute, Real Salt Lake was on the attack and was moving into the box from the side near the endline. As midfielder Kyle Beckerman faked a cross to move around the defender, United player Clyde Simms went for the fake and slid to block the ball.

As he landed, he planted his hand on the ground, and Beckerman played the ball into his hand. Vaughn quickly ran to the point of the play and pointed to the penalty spot to award the kick for a hand ball in the box.

 Real Salt Lake striker Fabian Espindola took a quick stutter step and beat the goalkeeper who dove to the wrong side to give the home team a 1-0 advantage.

The second half went back and forth with both teams narrowly missing on good scoring opportunities.

It was not until the 83rd minute that the make-up call was made and the referee tied the score.

Late in the match, D.C. United got the counterattacking chance that they were looking for on a good ball sent ahead to Charlie Davies for a breakaway. The speedy Davies quickly dribbled the ball from midfield into the box and caught the defenders off guard.

Real Salt Lake defender Chris Wingert slid in for the tackle, and the ball was knocked away from Davies. While he did make minimal contact, it was no where near enough for a penalty call. Due to some good theatrics from Charlie Davies, the referee, who was out of position on the play immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Real Salt Lake, who wanted a yellow card for Davies for diving, appealed to the line judge for help but got no assistance.

On the ensuing kick, Davies slotted the ball home just between the post and the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Nick Rimando for his seventh goal of the season.

A few minutes later, two teams, coaches and over 16,000 fans left the game with a 1-1 draw and wondering what had just happened.

Chris Johstoneaux is a contributor to Bleacher Report who usually covers the NBA and Major League Soccer. If you liked this article, please take a moment to leave me a comment and follow me on Twitter at @JazzRSLExaminer.