The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 20
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 20 overview
There were four Video Reviews during Week 20.
LA vs COL: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – not given
What Happened: Jonathan Lewis (COL) burst into the LA Galaxy penalty area in possession of the ball and went down under a challenge from Rayan Raveloson (LA). The VAR could see that Raveloson had extended his right leg out towards the ball but had failed to reach it and instead made contact with the left leg of Lewis, thereby bringing Lewis down.
On-field decision: Corner kick.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 1:51.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a clear foul by Raveloson and a penalty kick. This was a good use of the Video Review system.
SJ vs MIN: Review for red card (serious foul play) – not given
What Happened: Nathan (SJ) was penalized for a foul challenge on Bakaye Dibassy (MIN) in midfield and was issued a yellow card by the on-field referee, who deemed the challenge to be reckless. The VAR saw that Nathan had lunged into the tackle at speed, gone to ground, and extended a straight right leg with studs exposed. He missed the ball and made contact to the right leg of Dibassy just under the knee.
On-field decision: Yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 3:02.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a tackle that had speed, intensity, and excessive force, and the manner in which it was committed endangered the safety of the opponent, who required treatment for an injury after the challenge. The referee reversed his original yellow card decision and replaced it with a red card for serious foul play. This was a very good use of the Video Review system to efficiently overturn a clear and obvious error.
MIA vs CHI: Review for red card (violent conduct) – not given
What Happened: An off-the-ball incident occurred between Robbie Robinson (MIA) and Carlos Terán (CHI). The two players came into initial contact while they were both waiting for the ball to be advanced upfield by Inter Miami. Terán was closely marking Robinson, who appeared to take exception to the close attention he was receiving from Terán and swung a left arm into the chest of the Chicago defender. On feeling the contact, Terán went down, in all likelihood, with an element of embellishment.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: Yellow card.
Length of review: 3:00.
PRO’s Opinion: The best camera on which this incident was captured was at distance and as such it is difficult to accurately judge the amount of force used by Robinson. However, it did show the swinging motion of the arm. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that an act of violent conduct had occurred.
RBNY vs CLB: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: A penalty kick was awarded to New York Red Bulls when Liam Fraser (CLB) and Patryk Klimala (RBNY) challenged in the Columbus Crew penalty area for a ball which was off the ground. Both players raised their feet towards the ball and contact occurred between them, resulting in Klimala going to ground. The referee deemed that Fraser had kicked Klimala and therefore awarded a penalty to New York Red Bulls.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No penalty.
Length of review: 1:17.
PRO’s Opinion: Fraser was the player who had played the ball, while it was Klimala who had kicked up into Fraser’s leg, without making any contact on the ball. The award of a penalty kick was a clear and obvious error. This was a good, efficient use of the Video Review system.