The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 33
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 33 overview
There were eight Video Reviews during Week 33.
CLB vs CHI: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – not given
What happened: Chris Brady (CHI) challenged Diego Rossi (CLB) for the ball inside the penalty area, and Rossi went to ground. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Brady tripped Rossi after the attacker had poked the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs. An on-field review was recommended, and after Video Review, the referee awarded a penalty kick and issued a yellow card for a DOGSO offense in the penalty area while attempting to play the ball.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty and yellow card (DOGSO).
Length of review: 2:50.
PRO’s opinion: Brady had made himself as big as possible to make the save and, in doing so, put his leg in the path being used by Rossi to continue with the ball. This was a clear trip and a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
CLB vs CHI: Review for penalty kick (foul challenge) – given
What happened: Arnaud Souquet (CHI) challenged Yaw Yeboah (CLB) for the ball inside the penalty area, and Yeboah went to ground. The referee awarded a penalty kick for a tripping offense and issued a yellow card for DOGSO in the penalty area with an attempt to play the ball.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined it was actually the attacker who had created the contact at the legs, and there was no action by Souquet that tripped Yeboah. The VAR recommended an on-field review for no penalty. After Video Review, the referee maintained his original decision.
On-field decision: Penalty kick and yellow card (DOGSO).
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:30.
PRO’s opinion: There was no action by the defender that would trip his opponent. The contact on the legs was incidental and created by the attacker. A penalty kick should not have been awarded for this challenge.
What happened: A shot from Donovan Pines (DC) was blocked by the left arm of Luis Abram (ATL). The referee awarded a penalty kick and issued a yellow card to Abram for stopping a promising attack.
While checking the APP the VAR determined that when Éric Davis (DC) crossed the ball into the penalty area, Brendan Hines-Ike (DC) was in an offside position and had challenged Caleb Wiley (ATL) for the ball.
The VAR recommended a review for an offside offense – interfering with an opponent – in the APP. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the penalty kick and the yellow card to Abram and awarded an indirect free kick to Atlanta United.
On-field decision: Penalty kick and yellow card (stopping a promising attack).
Type of review: No penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Offside and yellow card rescinded.
Length of review: 4:20.
PRO’s opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
What happened: Ramiro Enrique (ORL) challenged Santiago Rodríguez (NYC) for the ball inside the penalty area, and Rodríguez went to ground. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and awarded a goal kick.
The VAR determined that Enrique had stepped on Rodriguez’s foot and tripped him, so he recommended an on-field review. After review, the referee awarded a penalty kick for the tripping offense.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 1:32.
PRO’s opinion: Enrique was running behind and very close to Rodríguez and made contact with his legs. This was a clear trip and a correct use of the Video Review system.
RBNY vs ATX: Review for red card (serious foul play) – not given
What happened: Nick Lima (ATX) and Luquinhas (RBNY) contested a bouncing ball. Lima raised his leg high in the air while playing the ball. As he lowered his leg the heel of his boot made contact on the top of the head of Luquinhas, who had lowered his head to play the ball just before Lima cleared it. The referee issued a yellow card for the reckless nature of the challenge.
The VAR determined that the non-issuing of a red card for serious foul play was a clear and obvious error and recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee maintained his original decision.
On-field decision: Yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:15.
PRO’s opinion: The force was not excessive, and Lima did not kick his opponent in the head or make contact with his studs to Luquinhas’ face. It was a reckless challenge and a yellow card was the correct outcome.
STL vs LAFC: Review for penalty kick (handball) – given
What happened: Samuel Adeniran (STL), Giorgio Chiellini (LAFC) and Jesús Murillo (LAFC) contested a cross into the penalty area. The referee believed the ball struck the hand of Murillo, which was extended above his shoulders before Chiellini headed it and awarded a penalty kick.
The VAR saw that the ball had not touched the hand. An on-field review was recommended, and after Video Review, the referee rescinded the penalty kick.
On-field decision: Penalty kick.
Type of review: No penalty.
Final decision after review: No penalty.
Length of review: 2:50.
PRO’s opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
What happened: Damir Kreilach (RSL) challenged Jáder Obrian (DAL) for the ball by sliding along the ground. His studs were high, he did not play the ball, and made contact near the knee of Obrian, who had arrived first and played the ball. The referee felt that excessive force was not used and issued a yellow card.
The VAR saw the point of contact with the studs and recommended an on-field review for serious foul play. After Video Review, the referee maintained his original decision.
On-field decision: Yellow card (foul challenge).
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:50.
PRO’s opinion: This was a subjective decision because of the mix of considerations. In the referee’s view, after Kreilach had made contact, he bent his knee to reduce the force in the challenge and did not continue through the leg of Obrian. The force of the challenge was not excessive and the referee was correct to maintain his original decision.
What happened: Carlos Akapo (SJ) challenged Sebastián Blanco (POR) for the ball inside the penalty area, and Blanco went to ground. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
The VAR saw that Akapo had kicked Blanco just above his right ankle before playing the ball. This contact had an impact on Blanco not being able to continue his run. 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: 2:40.
PRO’s opinion: The kicking offense was significant enough that it knocked Blanco off balance and to the ground. A penalty kick is the preferred outcome of this challenge.