The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 20
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 20 overview
There were six Video Reviews during Week 20.
NYC vs CLB: Goal
What happened: After review, Columbus #17 [Christian Ramírez] was onside when the ball was passed to him by Columbus #9 [Cucho] before he scored a goal.
The final decision was goal [to Columbus Crew].
Length of Review: 2:10
PRO’s opinion: After Ramírez (CLB) scored, the assistant referee raised the flag for an offside offense; however, he was onside when the ball was last played by his teammate, Cucho (CLB). After video review, the referee awarded a goal. This was a good use of the Video Review system to overturn a clear and obvious error.
NYC vs CLB: Penalty kick
What happened: After review, New York #17 [Hannes Wolf] pushed Columbus #23 [Mohamed Farsi] in the back inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty [to Columbus Crew].
Length of Review: 4:25
PRO’s opinion: As Farsi (CLB) jumped to head the ball, he was challenged from behind by Wolf (NYC), who made contact with Farsi’s back while making no effort to play the ball. However, this is a subjective call because while there is a push, there is also some embellishment from Farsi, whose fall does not align with the amount of contact from Wolf. PRO maintains a high line of intervention for video reviews, and without more of an extension of the arms from Wolf, the original on-field decision was not clearly and obviously wrong.
What happened: After review, Toronto #24 [Lorenzo Insigne] was onside when the ball was passed to him by Toronto #28 [Raoul Petretta] before he scored a goal.
The final decision was goal [to Toronto FC].
Length of Review: 1:56
PRO’s opinion: After Insigne (TOR) scored, the assistant referee raised the flag for an offside offense; however, he was onside when the ball was last played by his teammate, Petretta (TOR). After video review, the referee awarded a goal. This was a good use of the Video Review system to overturn a clear and obvious error.
What happened: New York #12 [Dylan Nealis] committed an attacker handball offense in the process of scoring a goal.
The final decision was that the goal [for New York Red Bulls] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to Nashville].
Length of review: 1:38
PRO’s opinion: The VAR determined that the ball deflected up and made contact with Nealis’ hand/arm (RBNY) immediately before he scored the goal. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for attacker handball. This was a good and efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
The offense does not require the attacker to make his body bigger or commit a deliberate handball. It is an offense if the ball touches the arm of an attacker, and then he immediately scores a goal, even if that touch is accidental.
What happened: After review, Dallas #9 [Petar Musa] was in an offside position when Dallas #7 [Paul Arriola] made a pass to him during the buildup to the goal. Dallas #9 then interfered with play when he touched the ball.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to St Louis CITY].
Length of Review: 2:10
PRO’s opinion: The referee was correct to disallow the goal scored by Logan Farrington (DAL) because Musa (DAL) was in an offside position during the attacking possession phase and interfered with play when he touched the ball. This was a good use of the Video Review system to disallow a goal for an offside situation.
What happened: After review, Minnesota #44 [Moses Nyeman] committed a serious foul play offense on Seattle #11 [Albert Rusnák].
The final decision was red card for serious foul play.
Length of review: 3:29
PRO’s opinion: Rusnák (SEA) played the ball away when he was challenged from behind by Nyeman (MIN). With no opportunity to play the ball, Nyeman reached forward with his studs exposed, made contact with the Achilles of Rusnák, 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.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.