The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 3
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 3 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 3.
ORL vs CHI: No red card for DOGSO
What happened: After review, Blue #12 [Natalia Kuikka – Chicago Red Stars] did not deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity for Purple #28 [Summer Yates – Orlando Pride].
The final decision was no foul. Play restarted with a throw in [to Chicago Red Stars].
Length of Review: 7:08
PRO’s opinion: This was an incorrect outcome. Kuikka (CHI) was guilty of charging Yates (ORL) in the back and a foul should have been awarded, resulting in a red card for DOGSO.
KC vs LA: Goal to KC Current
What happened: After review, Red #77 [Alexa Spaanstra – KC Current] was onside when the ball was crossed into the penalty area by Red #16 [Vanessa DiBernardo – KC Current].
The final decision was goal [to KC Current].
Length of Review: 3:29
PRO’s opinion: This was a very close offside decision. The decision on the field was offside and this did not meet the threshold of a clear and obvious error because no definitive angle showed that Spaanstra (KC) was clearly onside.
What happened: After review, Black #17 [Kennedy Fuller – Angel City] was in an offside position when the ball was last played by her teammate, Black #14 [Paige Nielsen – Angel City]. The touches by Red #14 [Claire Hutton – KC Current] and Red #94 [Claire Lavogez – KC Current] in between were not deliberate plays, and Black #17 then interfered with play when she passed the ball before the shot at goal.
The final decision was offside. Play restarted with a free kick [to KC Current].
Length of Review: 4:02
PRO’s opinion: After Nielsen’s (LA) header inside the penalty area, the ball was first deflected off the back of Hutton’s (KC) head, changing the ball’s trajectory, and then blocked by Lavogez’s (KC) left thigh. After these non-deliberate plays, Fuller (LA) returned from an offside position and played the ball and committed an offside offense. This was a very good use of the Video Review system to disallow a goal for a complex offside situation.
What happened: After review, Gray #19 [Dorian Bailey – Bay FC] created a barrier for the ball with her arm to block the cross by Blue #15 [Bárbara Olivieri – Houston Dash] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to Houston Dash].
Length of Review: 2:15
PRO’s opinion: Bailey’s (BAY) outstretched right arm moved into the path of this cross and stopped the ball. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What happened: After review, Yellow #22 [Dana Foederer – Utah Royals] fouled Black #17 [Hal Hershfelt – Washington Spirit]. This was not serious foul play.
The final decision was yellow card for a reckless challenge.
Length of Review: 5:43
PRO’s opinion: The sliding challenge by Foederer (UTA) on Hershfelt (WAS) did not rise to the level of serious foul play. After reviewing the video evidence, the referee correctly issued a yellow card for a reckless challenge.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.