The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 34
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 34 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 34.
ORL vs CLB: Review for penalty kick (handball) – not given
What Happened: A shot by Benji Michel (ORL) was blocked in the Columbus Crew penalty area by defender Milos Degenek (CLB). The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue, but when the VAR checked footage of the incident, he saw that the right arm of Degenek had blocked the ball while in a raised position at head height.
Degenek had made himself unnaturally bigger by placing his arm in that position, thereby creating a barrier for the ball. This was a clear handball offense, and the VAR recommended a Video Review. After seeing the footage for himself at the RRA, the referee concurred and awarded a penalty kick to Orlando City. He issued a yellow card to Degenek for stopping a promising attack.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty and yellow card (SPA).
Length of review: 1:36.
PRO’s Opinion: This was the correct outcome in a crucial moment of a very important game. The Video Review process was efficient, effective and accurate.
ATX vs COL: Review for goal (offside) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Sebastián Driussi (ATX), which was awarded by the on-field officials. However, when the VAR checked footage of the goal, he saw that Driussi was in an offside position when the ball was headed forward to him by teammate Julio Cascante (ATX) before he went on to score.
The VAR used a combination of the left 18-yard and high-behind cameras to form a conclusive opinion that Driussi was in an offside position. As such, he recommended a Video Review for the goal to be disallowed for offside. After looking at the images for himself at the RRA, the referee agreed with the VAR’s judgment and awarded an indirect freekick to Colorado Rapids.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 3:10.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a correct use of the Video Review system.
What Happened: A goal was scored by Paul Arriola (DAL) and awarded by the on-field officials. However, when the VAR checked footage of the goal, he saw that Arriola had moved onto the ball from an offside position when it was last played by teammate Sebastian Lletget (DAL), who had headed the ball on.
The offside position and offense had been missed by the on-field officials, but it was very clear on video. As such, a Video Review was recommended by the VAR, after which the goal was correctly disallowed.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 1:50.
PRO’s Opinion: This was an efficient and effective use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear error.