The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 14
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 14 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 14.
CHI vs ATL: Review for goal (offside) – given
What happened: A goal was scored by Giorgos Giakoumakis (ATL) but was disallowed by the on-field officials for offside after a delayed flag and whistle.
On checking the footage, the VAR, after consultation with the AVAR, formed the opinion that the right foot of Rafael Czichos (CHI) kept Giakoumakis in an onside position and recommended an on-field review.
After seeing the footage at the RRA, the referee concurred and awarded a goal to Atlanta United.
On-field decision: Offside.
Type of review: Goal.
Final decision after review: Goal.
Length of review: 2:46.
PRO’s Opinion: The right foot of Czichos was on the line where the grass shading changed, and Giakoumakis was still in the darker shaded area. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
RBNY vs MTL: Review for goal (offside) – given
What happened: A goal was scored by Cory Burke (RBNY) but was disallowed by the on-field officials for offside after a delayed flag and whistle.
After checking the footage, the VAR, after consultation with the AVAR, concluded that the right foot of Joel Waterman (MTL) kept Burke in an onside position and recommended an on-field review.
After seeing the footage at the RRA, the referee concurred and awarded a goal to New York Red Bulls.
On-field decision: Offside.
Type of review: Goal.
Final decision after review: Goal.
Length of review: 2:36.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify an on-field error.
What happened: Carlos Vela (LAFC) had made progress toward the San Jose Earthquakes’ penalty area through a crowd when the ball rebounded and struck the hand of Tanner Beason (SJ), who had attempted to clear it. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined there had been a movement of the hand to the ball by Beason that stopped the ball from continuing forward into Vela’s path.
An on-field review was recommended, and after Video Review, the referee awarded a penalty kick and issued a yellow card to Beason for stopping a promising attack.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty and yellow card.
Length of review: 1:35.
PRO’s Opinion: Beason’s hand had created a barrier and blocked the ball. This was an efficient and effective use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.