The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 14
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 14 overview
There were two Video Reviews during Week 14.
SKC vs SJ: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: A penalty kick was awarded to Sporting Kansas City when attacker Johnny Russell (SKC) went down in the San Jose Earthquakes’ penalty area under a challenge from Shea Salinas (SJ). Salinas had gone to ground when he tackled Russell and stretched out his right foot.
The VAR could see that Salinas had made good contact on the ball before he made any contact with Russell, and the challenge was, in fact, fair. The referee viewed the footage and reversed his penalty kick decision, and restarted the game with a dropped ball to goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (SJ).
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty kick.
Final decision after review: No penalty kick.
Length of review: 3:03
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
ATX vs SEA: Review for goal (offside in APP) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Julio Cascante (ATX) and awarded by the on-field match officials.
The VAR could see that Cascante was in an offside position when the ball was crossed to him by teammate Cecilio Domínguez (ATX) directly from a freekick. The referee correctly disallowed the goal.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 1:30
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good, effective use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error in a key match situation.