The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 1
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 1 overview
There were four Video Reviews during Week 1.
NC vs HOU: Yellow card for a reckless challenge
Length of Review: 3:53
What happened: After review, Blue #10 [Denise O’Sullivan – North Carolina Courage] committed a reckless challenge on Yellow #10 [Andressa – Houston Dash]. This did not rise to the level of violent conduct.
The final decision was a yellow card to Blue #10.
PRO’s opinion: Without playing the ball, O’Sullivan (NC) stepped with her right foot on top of Andressa’s (HOU) right foot. There was additional contact between the left legs of both players, which the VAR judged as violent conduct, and incorrectly recommended a review. A yellow card was the correct outcome in this situation.
UTA vs CHI: No red card for DOGSO
Length of Review: 3:03
What happened: After review, Yellow #18 [Kaleigh Riehl – Utah Royals] did not commit a holding offense on Blue #9 [Mallory Swanson – Chicago Red Stars] and was not guilty of Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity.
The final decision was that the on-field decision of no foul was correct. Play restarted with a throw-in to Yellow.
PRO’s opinion: No foul was committed by Riehl (UTA), and the referee correctly allowed play to continue. Even if an offense had been committed, this incident would not have met all DOGSO considerations because Swanson (CHI) never possessed the ball and there was a covering defender nearby.
Length of Review: 2:46
What happened: After review, Yellow #7 [Croix Bethune – Washington Spirit] was backing in and blocking Blue #1’s [Claudia Dickey – Seattle Reign] ability to challenge for the ball. This offense was committed while the ball was not within playing distance, which impacted the goalkeeper in their attempt to make a save.
The final decision was no goal and a direct free kick to Blue [Seattle Reign].
PRO’s opinion: The referee was correct to disallow this goal by Casey Krueger (WAS) for the foul by Bethune (WAS). This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
Length of Review: 6:01
What happened: After review, Yellow #1 [Aubrey Kingsbury – Washington Spirit] handled the ball outside of the penalty area and was guilty of Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity by Handball. The final decision was a red card and a direct free kick to Blue [Seattle Reign].
PRO’s opinion: This play did not meet all DOGSO considerations. Tara McKeown (WAS) was shielding Jordyn Huitema (RGN) and would have been able to play the ball first. Huitema never possessed the ball, and the chance of playing the ball first was low. This was an incorrect intervention, and this play should not have been sent for review.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.