The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 11
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 11 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 11.
RBNY vs PHI: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: Julián Carranza (PHI) received a pass from Alejandro Bedoya (PHI) inside the penalty area. Defender Dylan Nealis (RBNY) reached out and touched Carranza’s arm, and the Philadelphia Union striker went to ground. The referee awarded a penalty kick.
The VAR analyzed the available angles, assessed no impact from the contact on the arm, and recommended an on-field review. The referee went to the RRA and determined that there was a hold on the arm and some contact on the foot and leg which caused Carranza to go down and stayed with his decision to award the penalty.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 3:45.
PRO’s Opinion: There was no clear impact on the forward progress of Carranza caused by the contact on the arm, neither was there evidence that there was contact on the foot or the leg. The penalty should have been rescinded after review.
MIA vs ATL: Review for red card (serious foul play) – not given
What Happened: Franco Negri (MIA) challenged Santiago Sosa (ATL) for the ball. While Negri did touch the ball first, his foot remained high with his studs exposed and made contact to the shin of Sosa, which endangered the safety of his opponent. The referee issued a yellow card for a reckless challenge.
After analyzing the available angles, the VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible red card for serious foul play. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the yellow card and issued a red card.
On-field decision: Yellow card – reckless challenge.
Type of review: Red card – serious foul play.
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 2:16.
PRO’s Opinion: Due to his position, the referee was unable to see the full extent of the contact during live play. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: After a penalty kick had been awarded for a foul by Kendall Burks (CHI) on Jacob Shaffelburg (NSH) inside the penalty area, the referee issued a yellow card to Jonathan Dean (CHI) for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity – with an attempt to play the ball.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that the penalty was correct; however, there was a mistaken identity in the player who was issued the yellow card. The VAR recommended a factual review, and the referee rescinded the yellow card to Dean and issued the yellow card to Burks.
On-field decision: Yellow card to Jonathan Dean.
Type of review: Mistaken identity.
Final decision after review: Yellow card changed to Kendall Burks.
Length of review: 3:00.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a rare case of mistaken identity.