The Definitive Angle: MLS Cup Playoffs – Wild Card and Round One
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Wild Card and Round One overview
There were eight Video Reviews during the Wild Card and Round One games.
MTL vs ATL: Penalty
What happened: After review, Atlanta #11 [Brooks Lennon] fouled Montréal #7 [Kwadwo Opoku] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty [to CF Montréal].
Length of Review: 2:11
PRO’s opinion: Initially, the referee awarded a direct free kick because he believed Lennon (ATL) made foul contact with Opoku’s (MTL) left foot outside the penalty area. He correctly awarded a penalty kick after video review because the contact occurred on the penalty area line.
LAFC vs VAN: Penalty
What happened: After review, Vancouver #6 [Tristan Blackmon] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty [to Los Angeles Football Club] and a yellow card to Vancouver #6 for stopping a promising attack.
Length of review: 1:26
PRO’s opinion: Blackmon (VAN) attempted to block a shot from Mateusz Bogusz (LAFC) and the ball hit his right arm, which was away from his body and made himself unnaturally bigger. The referee correctly awarded a penalty and issued a yellow card to Blackmon for this handball offense after video review.
The final decision was a red card to Houston #20 for violent conduct.
Length of Review: 4:01
The final decision was no penalty. Play restarted with a drop ball [to Houston Dynamo].
Length of Review: 3:43
MIN vs RSL: Offside (no goal)
What happened: After review, Salt Lake #25 [Matt Crooks] committed an offside offense when he interfered with Minnesota’s #97’s [Dayne St Clair] ability to defend.
The final decision was offside, and play restarted with an indirect free kick [to Minnesota United].
Length of review: 2:13
PRO’s opinion: Crooks (RSL) ducked to keep out of the way of the shot from Brayan Vera (RSL). He was one of six in an offside position when Vera first made contact with the ball, and he committed an offside offense when he moved out of the path of the ball. His action had a clear impact on St Clair’s ability to make a save, and the referee was correct to disallow the goal and restart play with an indirect free kick.
HOU vs SEA: Spitting
What happened: After review, Houston #16 [Héctor Herrera] committed an act of gross misconduct.
The final decision was a red card to Houston #16 for spitting at a match official.
Length of Review: 1:18
PRO’s opinion: After issuing a yellow card to Herrera (HOU) for a reckless foul challenge on Jackson Ragen (SEA), Herrara walked past the referee and deliberately spit at the referee. While it is not clear from the angles available whether the spit landed on the referee, the Laws of the Game dictate that it is a sending off offense if a player spits at someone. This was seen by the Assistant Referee who alerted the VAR to check the incident. The referee correctly issued a red card for referee abuse/assault after video review.
The final decision was to retake the penalty kick.
Length of review: 0:50
The final decision was penalty [to Orlando City].
Length of Review: 4:24
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.