The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 31
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
There were two Video Reviews during Week 31.
What Happened: Jhon Durán (CHI) went down in the CF Montréal penalty area after an off-the-ball clash with Joel Waterman (MTL). The on-field match officials did not detect an offense in real-time and therefore did not intervene; however, when the VAR checked footage of the incident, he saw that Waterman had pushed Durán to the ground after the two had jostled for position.
The video did not reveal any prior offense by Durán, and as the ball was in-play when Waterman pushed Durán over, and the action occurred in the CF Montréal penalty area, this was an action that needed to be penalized by the award of a penalty kick. Therefore, the VAR recommended a Video Review, and having looked at the footage for himself at the RRA, the referee agreed and awarded a penalty kick to Chicago Fire.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 2:55.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to deal effectively with a missed incident.
HOU vs NE: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – not given
What Happened: Gustavo Bou (NE) went down in the Houston Dynamo penalty area under challenge from Tim Parker (HOU). The referee believed that Parker had played the ball and awarded a corner kick; however, when the VAR checked footage of the incident, he saw that only Bou had touched the ball and Parker had come through the back of Bou and brought him down.
This was a foul challenge that should have resulted in the award of a penalty kick, and as such, the VAR recommended a Video Review for a penalty to be awarded to New England Revolution. After looking at the footage for himself at the RRA screen, the referee agreed and awarded a penalty kick.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 2:25.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good, efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.