The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 22
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 22 overview
There were four Video Reviews during Week 22.
CLB vs RBNY: Review for red card (violent conduct) – not given
What Happened: Sean Zawadzki (CLB) played the ball down the touchline to Mo Farsi (CLB). After playing the ball away, Frankie Amaya (RBNY) made contact with the chin of Zawadzki using his forearm. The referee applied advantage and, at the next stoppage in play, issued a yellow card to Amaya for a reckless use of the arm.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Amaya struck Zawadzki in the chin using his arm after the ball was played away using excessive force.
An on-field review was recommended. After Video Review, the referee maintained his original decision that this was a reckless challenge due to a lack of evidence of the exact point of contact and the fact that it was not the elbow that was used.
On-field decision: Advantage – delayed yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (violent conduct).
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 3:35.
PRO’s Opinion: While the forearm was used, the contact was made to the chin well after the ball had been played. This was not part of a challenge for the ball, and excessive force was used. Zawadzki should have received a red card for violent conduct.
SJ vs LA: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: Jonathan Mensah (SJ) slid in to challenge Daniel Aguirre (LA) for the ball inside the penalty area. Mensah blocked Aguirre’s path and the attacker went to ground. The referee awarded a penalty kick.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and identified that Mensah made contact with the ball before the contact with Aguirre and recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the penalty kick.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: Drop ball.
Length of review: 2:50.
PRO’s Opinion: Mensah made contact with the ball using his leg before the two players came together. After playing the ball, contact was normal contact for when two players are come into the same space. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: Jackson Yueill (SJ) lunged in to tackle Douglas Costa (LA). Costa was in control of the ball and in front of Yueill, who made contact on the back of Costa’s calf with the heel of his boot, and the referee issued a yellow card for the reckless nature of the challenge.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that this tackle was serious foul play due to the lack of opportunity to play the ball and the contact with studs in the leg. The VAR recommended an on-field review, and after Video Review, the referee kept his original decision that this was a yellow card offense.
On-field decision: Yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:47.
PRO’s Opinion: There is a mix of considerations for serious foul play. In this case, the VAR saw the contact as endangering the opponent. In the referee’s view, the tackle from Yueill was reckless because the contact was slight and glancing, and, as the referee always makes the final decision, he retained his yellow card decision.
What Happened: Nathan Harriel (PHI) challenged Giorgos Giakoumakis (ATL) for a high ball played into the penalty area, and Giakoumakis went to ground. The assistant referee communicated to the referee that the contact occurred inside the penalty area, and the referee awarded a penalty kick to Atlanta United and issued a yellow card for stopping a promising attack.
The VAR analyzed the available angles, determined that the tripping offense occurred outside the penalty area, and recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the penalty kick and awarded a direct free kick. There was no DOGSO offence because the likelihood of control was still in doubt.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: Direct free kick.
Final decision after review: Direct free kick.
Length of review: 1:50.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.