The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 38
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 38 overview
There were seven Video Reviews during Week 38.
MIA vs NE: No goal (attacker handball)
What happened: New England #17 [Bobby Wood] committed an attacker handball offense in the process of scoring a goal.
The final decision was that the goal [for New England Revolution] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to Inter Miami].
Length of review: 2:18
PRO’s opinion: The initial shot from Wood (NE) was saved by Drake Callender (MIA) and the ball deflected up and made contact with Wood’s arm before he immediately scored the goal. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for attacker handball.
The offense does not require the attacker to 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.
ORL vs ATL: No goal (attacker handball)
What happened: Orlando #13 [Duncan McGuire] committed an attacker handball offense in the process of scoring a goal.
The final decision was that the goal [for Orlando City] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to Atlanta United].
Length of review: 2:30
PRO’s opinion: The ball initially struck McGuire’s (ORL) arm and rebounded back to him after hitting Derrick Williams’ (ATL) body. McGuire then immediately scored a goal, which made this a handball offense. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for attacker handball.
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 4:29
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 2:30
RSL vs VAN: Penalty
What happened: After review, Salt Lake #13 [Nelson Palacio] fouled Vancouver #8 [Alessandro Schöpf] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty [to Vancouver Whitecaps].
Length of Review: 5:10
PRO’s opinion: Palacio (RSL) attempted to play the ball but did not make contact with it. However, he retracted his foot from the challenge as Schöpf (VAN) advanced inside the penalty area, Schöpf then kicked Palacio, whose foot was already planted on the ground. This was a subjective decision, and PRO would prefer that no penalty be awarded.
HOU vs LA: No goal
What happened: After review, Los Angeles #4 [Maya Yoshida] committed a foul on Houston #10 [Ezequiel Ponce] prior to the goal by Los Angeles #28 [Joseph Paintsil].
The final decision was no goal and a direct free kick [to Houston Dynamo].
Length of Review: 2:20
PRO’s opinion: Before the goal from Paintsil (LA), Yoshida (LA) did not play the ball but rather made contact with the top of Ponce’s (HOU) foot. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the foul because Yoshida’s action allowed LA Galaxy to gain possession and start their attack.
The final decision was penalty [to LA Galaxy].
Length of Review: 2:58
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.