The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 26
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 26 overview
There was one Video Review during Week 26.
ATX vs SJ: Review for penalty kick (handball) – not given
What Happened: San Jose Earthquakes appealed for a handball penalty kick when a San Jose Earthquakes freekick which was crossed into the Austin FC penalty area from the right was blocked by Alexander Ring (ATX), before going out of play over the goal line. The on-field referee awarded a corner kick to San Jose Earthquakes, and the VAR checked the footage in order to establish whether the non-award of a penalty kick was a clear and obvious error.
On-field decision: Corner kick.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty kick and yellow card (SPA).
Length of review: 2:14.
PRO’s Opinion: Ring had blocked the ball through a combination of his right knee, which he raised to the ball, and his left arm, which was extended straight out in a position that made him unnaturally bigger and was not justifiable for the playing action he was undertaking. Even when raising his right knee to the ball, it would not be expected for his arm to be positioned in such a straight, extended way as to create a barrier for the ball. He was cautioned for stopping a promising attack.
This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear error.