The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 15
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 15 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 15.
ATX vs SKC: Offside (no goal)
What happened: After review, Austin #11 [Jáder Obrian] was in an offside position when Austin #17 [Jon Gallagher] made a pass to him during the build-up to the goal. Austin #11 then interfered with play when he touched the ball.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Sporting Kansas City].
Length of Review: 2:42
PRO’s opinion: Before the goal was scored by Dani Pereira (ATX), Obrian (ATX) was in an offside position when Gallagher (ATX) passed to him. This was part of the same attacking phase of play in which the goal was scored. This was a good use of the Video Review system to disallow a goal for an offside situation.
MIN vs POR: No penalty
What happened: After review, Minnesota #22 [Teemu Pukki] fouled Portland #13 [Dario Zuparic] prior to the challenge by Portland #2 [Miguel Araujo] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was no penalty and a direct free kick [to Portland Timbers].
Length of Review: 2:59
PRO’s opinion: Pukki (MIN) held the arm of Zuparic (POR), pulled him away from the ball, and caused him to go to ground. He then gained control of the ball and went into the penalty area, where he was fouled by Araujo (POR). The referee was correct to rescind the penalty and award a direct free kick for a holding offense. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What happened: After review, Seattle #5 [Nouhou] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to Vancouver Whitecaps] and a second yellow card [and subsequent red card] to Seattle #5 for stopping a promising attack.
Length of review: 3:10
PRO’s opinion: Nouhou (SEA) went to ground to block the shot from Sebastian Berhalter (VAN) and made his body unnaturally bigger by raising his right arm in the air and putting his left arm out to the side. He took a risk by doing this, and the ball struck his right arm. This was a handball offense that also stopped a shot on goal. This was a good 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.