The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 6
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 6 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 6.
WAS vs ORL: Offside (no penalty kick)
What happened: After review, the on-field decision of offside that happened prior to the challenge inside the penalty area was correct.
The final decision was an indirect free kick [to Orlando Pride].
Length of review: 2:45
PRO’s opinion: The assistant referee was correct in awarding offside, interfering with play after a delayed flag before the penalty area incident occurred. After recommending a review for a possible missed penalty kick, the VAR checked the attacking phase of play and established that the on-field decision of offside was correct. This was an unnecessary review.
CHI vs POR: Handball (no goal)
What happened: After review, Gray #9 [Sophia Smith – Portland Thorns] committed an attacker handball offense when she deflected a shot by Gray #16 [Janine Beckie – Portland Thorns] into the goal.
The final decision was that the goal [for Portland Thorns] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to Chicago Red Stars].
Length of review: 2:25
PRO’s opinion: The path of the ball was slightly redirected by Smith’s arm (POR) before entering the goal. This was a good use of the Video Review system to disallow a goal for an attacker handball.
What happened: After review, the yellow card given to Yellow #4 [Paige Monaghan – Utah Royals] was incorrectly issued for persistent offenses. The foul on Blue #28 [Ramona Bachmann – Houston Dash] was committed by Yellow #10 [Amandine Henry – Utah Royals].
The final decision was the yellow card for Yellow #4 was rescinded. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to Houston Dash].
Length of review: 1:01
PRO’s opinion: The tripping offense was committed by Henry (UTA) and not Monaghan (UTA). The referee correctly rescinded the yellow card to Monaghan without going to the monitor. This was an efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
As a reminder, Mistaken identity is considered a factual review per the VAR protocol, which means that the referee does not need to go to the monitor. However, the referee should still show the VAR signal before changing the original on-field decision.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.