The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 27
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 27 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 27.
RBNY vs NYC: Review for penalty kick (handball) – not given
What Happened: In time allowed for stoppages at the end of the game, New York Red Bulls appealed for a handball penalty kick when a shot by Patryk Klimala (RBNY) was blocked by Maxime Chanot (NYC). The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR saw that the ball had initially struck Chanot’s body from a short distance, but then he had clearly moved his left arm to the ball to bat it away. The action by Chanot was fully consistent with a handball offense and, as such, the VAR recommended a Video Review.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty kick and yellow card (SPA).
Length of review: 2:54.
PRO’s Opinion: The referee looked at the footage at the RRA and awarded a penalty kick to New York Red Bulls. He cautioned Chanot for committing a handball offense which stopped a promising attack (it is normal for handball offenses which stop shots on goal to be cautioned). Having already been cautioned earlier in the game, Chanot was issued a red card.
This was the correct outcome, achieved through an accurate and appropriate use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
DC vs CIN: Review for goal (offside) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Nigel Robertha (DC) but disallowed by the on-field officials for offside. This was a close call and because the referee delayed blowing the whistle until after the ball had entered the goal, a window was created for the VAR to check whether the disallowing of the goal was a clear and obvious error.
On-field decision: Offside.
Type of review: Goal.
Final decision after review: Goal.
Length of review: 2:21.
PRO’s Opinion: On checking the footage, the VAR saw that when the ball was played long by Steven Birnbaum (DC) to Robertha, the attacker was being held quite clearly onside by defender Geoff Cameron (CIN). As such, a Video Review was recommended, and after looking at the footage at the RRA, the referee reversed the initial offside decision and instead awarded a goal to DC United.
This was the correct outcome and a good use of the Video Review system to overturn a clear and obvious on-field error.
VAN vs DAL: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – not given
What Happened: In time allowed for stoppages at the end of the game, FC Dallas appealed for a penalty kick when Jáder Obrian (DAL) tried to jump to reach a ball crossed into the penalty area from the left by teammate José Martínez (DAL). Obrian claimed he had been impeded by Patrick Metcalf (VAN) when he jumped, but the referee waved the claims away.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 2:09.
PRO’s Opinion: The VAR saw that Metcalf had placed his right arm across the neck of Obrian as the FC Dallas player jumped, clearly impacting Obrian with significant contact. The VAR judged this to be clear foul contact and that the non-award of a penalty was a clear and obvious error.
The referee looked at the footage at the RRA and agreed with the VAR; he awarded a penalty kick to FC Dallas. This was a good, efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.