The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 31
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 31 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 31.
DC vs SJ: Review for goal (offside) – not given
What happened: A goal was scored by Gabriel Pirani (DC) and awarded by the on-field officials.
The VAR determined that Pirani was in an offside position when Steven Birnbaum (DC) passed the ball to him. He then interfered with play when he touched the ball. The VAR recommended an on-field review, and after Video Review, the referee disallowed the goal and restarted with an indirect free kick.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 1:21.
PRO’s opinion: Pirani was clearly offside when Birnbaum passed the ball to him before he then flicked the ball into the goal. This was an efficient and effective use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
DC vs SJ: Review for red card (DOGSO) – not given
What happened: Theodore Ku-DiPietro (DC) took control of the ball after a touch from Tanner Beason (SJ) had fallen into his path. Beason then tripped Ku-DiPietro as he reached out to win possession back. The referee issued a yellow card to Beason for stopping a promising attack due to covering defender Rodrigues (SJ) being in a position to defend.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Rodrigues was not at full speed and would not have been able to get into a position to defend. The VAR recommended an on-field review for a red card for denial of a goalscoring opportunity. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the yellow card and issued a red card to Beason.
On-field decision: Yellow card (stopping a promising attack).
Type of review: Red card (DOGSO).
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 2:05.
PRO’s opinion: Had the foul not occurred, Ku-DiPietro would have been able to move directly to the goal with the ball and have an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
What happened: A shot from Tyler Boyd (LA) was blocked by the left hand of Samuel Adeniran (STL) inside the penalty area. The referee did not see the offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR saw that Adeniran put his hand into the space where the ball was going and had created a barrier – that stopped the shot from continuing to the goal. An on-field review was recommended, and after Video Review, the referee awarded a penalty kick and issued a yellow card for stopping a promising attack.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty and yellow card (stopping a promising attack).
Length of review: 1:42.
PRO’s opinion: From his position, the referee was unable to see what part of the body the ball touched. This was a handball offence and a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.