The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 26
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 26 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 26.
CIN vs NSH: Review for goal (foul in APP) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Luciano Acosta (CIN) and awarded by the on-field officials.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Acosta had kicked the foot of Walker Zimmerman (NSH) and tripped him as he gained possession of the ball prior to scoring.
He concluded the non-awarding of a free kick was a clear and obvious error and recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee disallowed the goal and awarded a direct free kick.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 2:30.
PRO’s Opinion: The contact had a direct impact on the scoring of the goal. This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
CIN vs NSH: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What Happened: Yerson Mosquera (CIN) prepared to head a throw in clear from inside his own penalty area when Walker Zimmerman (NSH) went to ground. The referee awarded a penalty kick to Nashville for a tripping offense.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that there was no tripping offense, and the contact was initiated by Zimmerman. An on-field review was recommended, and after Video Review, the penalty kick was rescinded.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No penalty.
Length of review: 1:30.
PRO’s Opinion: Mosquera was unaware of Zimmerman’s initial position when he went to head the ball away. Zimmerman came from behind him to contest the ball but, in doing so, made contact with Mosquera’s leg and tripped himself. This was a good, efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: Bryan Acosta (COL) went to ground and blocked a shot from Franco Escobar (HOU) with his left arm. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Acosta had committed a handball offense. He then checked the APP and identified that prior to the penalty area incident, Iván Franco (HOU) had committed an offside offense by interfering with play when Escobar played the ball to him with his chest.
The VAR recommended an on-field review, and after Video Review, the referee restarted play with an indirect free kick for the offside offense.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Offside.
Final decision after review: Offside.
Length of review: 2:40.
PRO’s Opinion: The Video Review was correct because Acosta’s left arm was away from his body when the ball hit it, and the non-awarding of the penalty kick was a clear and obvious error. However, as there was an offside offense in the APP, the correct restart was an indirect free kick. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (MIN) challenged Diego Palacios (LAFC) inside the penalty area. Both players reached for the ball, and there was some contact on the outside of the leg of Palacios and he went to ground. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR determined that this contact tripped Palacios, and the non-awarding of a penalty kick was a clear and obvious error. An on-field review was recommended, and after Video Review, the referee maintained his original decision.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 1:55.
PRO’s Opinion: While there was contact, the contact was initiated by Palacios who moved his foot in front of Hlongwane. There was no clear tripping or pushing action by Hlongwane that warranted the awarding of a penalty kick.
What Happened: Chris Mavinga (LA) challenged Brian White (VAN) from behind as he entered the penalty area. While making some upper body contact, Mavinga reached for the ball but was not able to play it and instead made contact on the front of the leg and foot of White and tripped him. The referee awarded a penalty kick and issued a red card for DOGSO with no attempt to play the ball because he had only seen the upper body contact.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and agreed that White had control of the ball, with only the goalkeeper to beat when he was fouled. He determined that the awarding of the penalty kick was correct; however, there was an attempt to play the ball. The VAR recommended an on-field review, and after Video Review, the referee rescinded the direct red card and issued a yellow card. This yellow card was Mavinga’s second for the match so he was still sent off, but for the correct reason.
On-field decision: Red card (DOGSO).
Type of review: Yellow card (SPA).
Final decision after review: Sent off for second yellow card.
Length of review: 2:18.
PRO’s Opinion: Although the outcome was the same and Mavinga was still sent off, issuing a direct red card was a clear and obvious error. It is important that in these rare occurrences, the correct reason for dismissal is identified because it can impact any consequent disciplinary action.