The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 11
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 11 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 11.
ATX vs POR: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – not given
What Happened: A challenge was made by defender Pablo Bonilla (POR) within his own penalty area. Bonilla stretched to play the ball with his right foot prior to the arrival of Cecilio Domínguez (ATX), who was closing in. Bonilla went to ground onto his back as he played the ball, and his momentum caused his legs to rise, making contact with Domínguez. The referee was very well positioned and allowed play to continue.
The VAR formed the opinion that the actions of Bonilla were reckless and a penalty kick award was justified. The referee reviewed the footage but decided that his initial on-field decision did not involve an error, and therefore he did not change his call.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty.
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 4:28.
PRO’s Opinion: Although the way Bonilla played the ball was unorthodox, he clearly reached the ball first and before Domínguez arrived. While there was contact between the players, this was mainly when Bonilla’s legs went into the air as he moved onto his back. In circumstances like these, where the defender clearly plays the ball in a way that is not clearly reckless, the expectation is that the player won’t be penalized.
MIN vs SJ: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – not given
What Happened: Judson (SJ) made heavy contact on Chase Gasper (MIN), who had just cut the ball back within the San Jose Earthquakes penalty area. The actions of Judson were clumsy and he failed to make contact with the ball, and the contact he made on Gasper brought the Minnesota United player down. This was a clear penalty kick offense which the referee had failed to identify in real-time.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty (with a possible foul in APP).
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 2:36.
PRO’s Opinion: The coming together between Cristian Espinoza (SJ) and Ramón Ábila (MIN) prior to the challenge from Judson was not a clear offense. A foul in the APP has to be clear and a sense of injustice that play has continued. In this case, Espinoza missed the ball as it went between his legs, and the contact between the players is normal.
COL vs SEA: Review for goal (handball in APP) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Alex Roldan (SEA), who took advantage of a defensive mistake by Andre Shinyashiki (COL), who inadvertently played the ball against the left leg of Roldan as he was trying to pass to a teammate. Roldan was then able to run onto the loose ball and shoot it under the goalkeeper to score.
The VAR initially believed that the ball had made contact with Roldan’s hand/arm in order for him to gain possession.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – handball in APP.
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:52.
PRO’s Opinion: The recommendation was made prematurely before the VAR had fully checked the images. This was a good goal with no hand/arm contact, and the review should not have been recommended.