The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 7
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 7 overview
There were four Video Reviews during MLS Week 7.
DC vs MTL: Yellow card for a reckless challenge
What happened: After review, Blue #16 [Joel Waterman – CF Montréal] tripped Black #21 [Ted Ku-Dipietro – D.C. United]. This was not serious foul play.
The final decision was yellow card for a reckless challenge.
Length of Review: 2:23
PRO’s opinion: Believing that contact was made on the Achilles, the referee issued a red card for serious foul play. The contact was to the side of the foot, and not with the studs. The referee was correct in rescinding the red card. This was a good use of the Video Review system to overturn a clear and obvious error.
HOU vs SJ: Red card for violent conduct
What happened: After review, Black #19 [Preston Judd – San Jose Earthquakes] struck Orange #25 [Griffin Dorsey – Houston Dynamo] with excessive force using his elbow.
The final decision was red card for violent conduct.
Length of Review: 2:28
PRO’s opinion: There was a clear striking action by Judd (SJ) off the ball. This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
What happened: After review, Black #2’s [Jamar Ricketts – San Jose Earthquakes] arm was in a natural position for how he was defending the shot by Orange #8 [Amine Bassi – Houston Dynamo]. There was no deliberate movement of the arm toward the ball.
The final decision was there was no handball offense. Play restarted with a throw-in [to San Jose Earthquakes].
Length of Review: 2:15
PRO’s opinion: The movement of the arm was natural for how Ricketts (SJ) was closing the space. When the ball struck his arm, it was relatively close to the body. The referee was correct in maintaining his original decision.
What happened: After review, Yellow #5 [Jack Maher – Nashville] tripped Black #10 [Diego Rossi – Columbus Crew] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to Columbus Crew] and a yellow card to Yellow #5 for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with an attempt to play the ball.
Length of Review: 1:45
PRO’s opinion: Maher (NSH) missed the ball and made contact with the foot and leg of Rossi (CLB) inside the penalty area. This was a clear foul and an efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.