The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 2
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 2 overview
There were six Video Reviews during Week 2.
SKC vs ORL: Review for goal (offside) – not given (13th min)
What happened: A goal was scored by Nicolas Isimat-Mirin (SKC), which was awarded by the on-field match officials. The VAR checked the footage and identified that Isimat-Mirin was in an offside position when the initial shot was taken, which was saved by the goalkeeper Pedro Gallese (ORL), who parried the ball to Isimat-Mirin.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: Goal (offside in the attacking possession phase).
Final decision after review: No goal – gaining an advantage.
Length of review: 1:17.
PRO’s Opinion: Isimat-Mirin had gained an advantage by being in the offside position and an offside offense had been committed. The referee correctly disallowed the goal.
This was a very good, efficient use of Video Review to rectify a clear and obvious error.
SKC vs ORL: Review for goal (offside) – not given (49th min)
What happened: Early in the second half, a goal was scored by Andrés Perea (ORL) and awarded by the on-field match officials. However, the sequence of play which immediately preceded the goal was complicated by the fact that Rémi Walter (SKC) had deliberately played the ball towards Perea, after which the ball took a slight deflection off Antônio Carlos (ORL) before reaching Perea. The touch by Carlos, which was missed by the on-field officials, was difficult to see and without it Perea would have been onside, hence why the goal was initially awarded.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: Goal (offside in the attacking possession phase).
Final decision after review: No goal – interfering with play.
Length of review: 2:02.
PRO’s Opinion: The VAR checked the footage, and he could see the touch from Carlos and the clear offside position of Perea when that touch happened, thereby creating an offside offense. As such, a Video Review was recommended, after which the goal was correctly disallowed.
This was an excellent use of Video Review to rectify an error in a complicated, difficult situation for the on-field match officials.
SKC vs ORL: Review for goal (offside) – given (79th min)
What happened: A goal scored by Nani (ORL) was disallowed by the on-field officials for an offside offense by Kyle Smith (ORL) in the APP prior to the goal. However, because the offside flag and whistle had been delayed until after the ball had entered the Sporting Kansas City goal, an opportunity had been created for the VAR to check the footage.
On-field decision: No goal (offside in the attacking possession phase).
Type of review: Goal.
Final decision after review: Goal (No offside in APP).
Length of review: 1:29.
PRO’s Opinion: The VAR saw that Smith had not been in an offside position. After Video Review, the goal was correctly awarded.
SJ vs DAL: Review for penalty kick (handball) – not given
What happened: A shot by Eric Remedi (SJ) was blocked by Tanner Tessmann (DAL) near to the top of the FC Dallas penalty area. The referee did not identify a handball offense and allowed the game to continue.
On-field decision: No penalty kick.
Type of review: Penalty kick – handball not given.
Final decision after review: Penalty kick and yellow card for stopping a promising attack (SPA).
Length of review: 1:23.
PRO’s Opinion: Tessmann’s right arm was extended away from his body, making his body unnaturally bigger. The arm created a barrier for the ball and blocked it from traveling in the direction of the goal. Furthermore, the VAR could see that Tessmann was just inside the FC Dallas penalty area when he used his arm to block the ball.
After Video Review, the referee correctly awarded a penalty kick to SJ Earthquakes and cautioned Tessmann for the handball offense, which had stopped a promising attack.
This was a very good and efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
SJ vs DAL: Review for red card (serious foul play) – not given
What happened: Chris Wondolowski (SJ) made late contact on defender José Martínez (DAL), who had already played the ball back to his goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (DAL). The referee issued a yellow card to Wondolowski for what he deemed in real-time to be a reckless foul challenge. Although the VAR recognized that the contact was almost certainly accidental, he also believed the nature of the contact had excessive force and endangered the opponent, and as such, was worthy of a red card for serious foul play.
On-field decision: Yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 1:55.
PRO’s Opinion: The contact from Wondolowski looked to be accidental and without malice as he placed his foot down in the motion of running when closing Martínez down. However, the point of contact was with the studs of Wondolowski’s right foot onto the back of the right Achilles and heel of Martínez.
The contact then goes onto the side of the Achilles/foot, as Wondolowski appears to try to mitigate the impact. In most cases, where contact is from the studs onto the Achilles tendon, a red card is the appropriate outcome. Due to endangering the safety of the opponent, the red card outcome is supported.
LA vs RBNY: Review for goal (offside) – given
What happened: A goal scored by Chicharito (LA) was disallowed by the on-field officials for an offside offense in the APP prior to the goal. However, because the offside flag and whistle had been delayed until after the ball had entered the New York Red Bulls goal, an opportunity had been created for the VAR to check the footage.
On-field decision: No goal – offside in APP.
Type of review: Goal – no offside in APP.
Final decision after review: Goal.
Length of review: 2:30.
PRO’s Opinion: Correct recommendation and correct outcome.
Chicharito had not been in an offside position; after Video Review, the goal was correctly awarded. A correct use of delayed offside and video review.