The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 8
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 8 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 8.
SD vs UTA: Penalty kick for handball
What happened: After review, Utah #4 [Paige Monaghan] created a barrier for the ball with her hand to block the shot by San Diego #17 [Kimmi Ascanio] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to San Diego Wave] and a yellow card to Utah #4.
Length of review: 1:40
PRO’s opinion: This was a handball offense by Monaghan (UTA) whose arm was in an unnatural position and blocked the shot from Ascanio (SD). This was a good, efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
LOU vs WAS: Penalty kick for foul challenge
What happened: After review, Washington #9 [Tara McKeown] stepped on the foot of Louisville #23 [Elexa Bahr] inside the penalty area while not challenging for the ball.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to Racing Louisville].
Length of review: 4:15
PRO’s opinion: The referee correctly let play continue, judging the two players coming together as normal upper body contact. PRO did not feel the lower body contact had enough impact and would have preferred no penalty.
What happened: After review, Seattle #11 [Sofia Huerta] created a barrier for the ball with her arm to block the shot by Portland #15 [Payton Linnehan] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to Portland Thorns] and a yellow card to Seattle #11.
Length of review: 3:20
PRO’s opinion: Huerta (SEA) blocked the shot with her foot, and the ball was redirected toward her right forearm, which was in a justifiable position for her body movement. This was not a handball offense and PRO would have preferred no penalty.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.