The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 1
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 1 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 1.
DAL vs TOR: Review for goal (offside in APP) – given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Jáder Obrian (DAL) but was disallowed for offside relating to a pass to Paul Arriola (DAL) in the APP before the goal. The VAR checked the footage and formed the opinion that the on-field decision against Arriola was clearly and obviously incorrect, and that Arriola was level with the second rearmost, Chris Mavinga (TOR). As such, a Video Review was recommended, and after looking at the screen, at the RRA the referee concurred and awarded a goal to FC Dallas.
On-field decision: No goal – offside.
Type of Review: Goal.
Final decision after review: Goal.
Length of Review: 1:25
PRO’s Opinion: The best camera angle to show the offside judgment was the left 18-yard camera. While not perfectly in line, the camera angle distortion is only minimal, and the footage suggests Arriola was probably just offside. As such, the on-field decision was certainly not clearly wrong and PRO deems the video review intervention as being incorrect.
DAL vs TOR: Review for goal (offside in APP) – not given
What Happened: A goal scored by Jesús Ferreira (DAL) was disallowed for offside relating to a pass to Paul Arriola (DAL) in the APP before the goal. The VAR checked the footage and formed the opinion that Arriola was in an offside position when a pass from Jáder Obrian (DAL) was touched through by Ferreira, before Arriola returned the ball into the path of Ferreira to score. As such, a Video Review was recommended, and after looking at the screen at the RRA the referee concurred and disallowed the goal.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of Review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: Offside.
Length of Review: 1:25.
PRO’s Opinion: This was an effective and efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious on-field error.
DAL vs TOR: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: A penalty kick was awarded by the referee to Toronto FC for a foul by José Martínez (DAL) on Alejandro Pozuelo (TOR). The referee judged in real-time that Martínez had brought down Pozuelo when he extended his right leg out and made contact on Pozuelo after the latter had touched the ball passed him.
The VAR saw that Martínez had made good contact on the ball with his right shin prior to making any contact with Pozuelo. The path of the ball clearly deviated after the contact with Martínez. As such, this was not a foul and the VAR recommended a Video Review to overturn the penalty kick. After looking at the footage at the RRA, the referee concurred with the VAR and correctly overturned his penalty kick decision.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of Review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No penalty – drop ball.
Length of Review: 1:48.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
DC vs CLT: Review for goal (offside in APP) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Christian Ortíz (CLT) and awarded by the on-field match officials. The VAR checked the footage and formed the opinion that the on-field decision was clearly and obviously wrong because Ortíz was in an offside position when the ball was crossed to him by Alan Franco (CLT). As such, a Video Review was recommended, and after looking at the screen, the referee concurred and disallowed the goal.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of Review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: Offside.
Length of Review: 2:35.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a correct outcome and a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
MIA vs CIN: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: A penalty kick was awarded to Inter Miami CF when DeAndre Yedlin (MIA) was fouled by Miguel Ángel Navarro (CHI). From his position on the field of play, the referee had judged that Navarro had tripped Yedlin after the winger had cut inside and got in front of Navarro, inside the penalty area.
The VAR saw that Navarro had not made any contact with Yedlin and, therefore, recommended a Video Review. After looking at the footage at the RRA, the referee overturned his original call and issued a yellow card to Yedlin for simulation.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of Review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No penalty – yellow card.
Length of Review: 2:36.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.