The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 10
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 10 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 10.
SEA vs VAN: Red card for serious foul play
What happened: After review, Green #25 [Jackson Ragen – Seattle Sounders] committed a serious foul play offense on Blue #25 [Ryan Gauld – Vancouver Whitecaps].
The final decision was red card for serious foul play.
Length of review: 4:15
PRO’s opinion: As Gauld (VAN) turned to move with the ball, he was challenged from behind by Ragen (SEA), who made contact on the calf and Achilles area with his studs and endangered the safety of his opponent. The referee was correct in rescinding the yellow card he had issued for a reckless challenge and instead show a red card for serious foul play. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
LAFC vs RBNY: Penalty kick for foul challenge
What happened: After review, Yellow #15 [Sean Nealis – New York Red Bulls] tripped Black #99 [Denis Bouanga – Los Angeles Football Club] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to Los Angeles Football Club].
Length of review: 3:02
PRO’s opinion: Bouanga (LAFC) cut the ball to his right inside the penalty area and made slight contact with the back of the leg of Nealis (RBNY), who had overrun the ball. Nealis then tripped him with his trailing leg. The initial contact by Bouanga was normal and not a foul. The referee was correct in maintaining his original decision of a penalty kick.
What happened: After review, Blue #30 [Niko Tsakiris – San Jose Earthquakes] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to LA Galaxy].
Length of review: 1:58
PRO’s opinion: Tsakiris (SJ) deliberately made his body unnaturally bigger to attempt to block the ball. This was a good use of the Video Review system to overturn 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.