The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 18
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 18 overview
There were four Video Reviews during the games of June 7 and Week 18.
LAFC vs ATL: Review for penalty kick (encroachment) – not given
What Happened: A penalty kick was taken by Carlos Vela (LAFC) and saved by goalkeeper Brad Guzan (ATL). Before Vela took the kick, Guzan had moved forward with both feet off the line.
On seeing this, the VAR recommended a Video Review for the penalty to be retaken due to the goalkeeper’s encroachment. After seeing the footage at the RRA, the referee agreed, and the penalty was retaken.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick – encroachment not given.
Final decision after review: Re-take of penalty kick and warning to the goalkeeper.
Length of review: 0:46.
PRO’s Opinion: This was an efficient and effective use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
ATL vs DC: Review for goal (offside) – given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Tyler Wolff (ATL) but was disallowed by the on-field officials for offside in the APP after a delayed flag and whistle.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that teammate Andrew Gutman (ATL), who supplied the cross for Wolff to score, was not offside when the ball was played to him. He recommended an on-field review for a goal.
After seeing the footage at the RRA, the referee concurred and awarded a goal to Atlanta United.
On-field decision: No goal – offside.
Type of review: Goal.
Final decision after review: Goal.
Length of review: 2:35.
PRO’s Opinion: Gutman was clearly and obviously onside at the kick point. This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
What Happened: Marco Farfan (DAL) challenged Juan Mosquera (POR) at the edge of the penalty area, and Mosquera went to ground. The referee awarded a penalty kick.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Mosquera had played the ball and Farfan had reached for the ball without making contact and put his foot on the ground; however, Mosquera had then stepped on top of the foot of Farfan. The VAR recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the penalty kick and awarded a direct free kick to FC Dallas.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: Direct free kick.
Length of review: 1:00.
PRO’s Opinion: While Mosquera appeared to be tripped in real-time, it was clear from the video replays that he had stepped on Farfan’s foot and that had caused him to go to ground. This was an excellent use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: Geovane Jesus (DAL) pushed Diego Chara (POR) during the taking of an FC Dallas corner kick. The pair went to ground and became entangled; as Jesus tried to release his foot from between the legs of Chara, his action appeared to be a kicking action. The assistant referee saw this action and reported it to the referee who then issued a red card to Jesus for violent conduct.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that there was no kicking action and that Jesus was only trying to release his foot. The VAR recommended an on-field review, and after Video Review, the red card was rescinded, and a yellow card was issued.
On-field decision: Red card (violent conduct).
Type of review: No red card.
Final decision after review: Yellow card (lack of respect for the game).
Length of review: 3:40.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a very good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.