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The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 2

PRO media , min read

The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.

Week 2 overview
There were four Video Reviews during Week 2.

WAS vs KC: Penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Washington #24 [Esme Morgan] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.

The final decision was a penalty kick [to Kansas City Current].

Length of review: 1:50

PRO’s opinion: This was a handball offense by Morgan (WAS), whose right arm acted as a barrier in an attempt to block Temwa Chawinga’s (KC) header at goal. The ball struck her arm, which was extended away from her body. The referee was correct to award a penalty kick after video review.

WAS vs KC: No goal (foul)

Outcome: After review, Washington #9 [Tara McKeown] fouled Kansas City #14 [Claire Hutton] prior to the goal by Washington #2 [Trinity Rodman].

The final decision was no goal and a direct free kick [to Kansas City Current].

Length of Review: 3:15

PRO’s opinion: The goal by Rodman (WAS) was disallowed on the field for offside. At the moment the ball was played to Rodman, she was in an onside position, and this was a good goal; however, prior to the goal being scored, her teammate McKeown (WAS) committed a pushing foul at the back post to set up the opportunity. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for a foul after video review.

WAS vs KC: No penalty

Outcome: After review, Kansas City #15 [Alana Cook] did not foul Washington #33 [Ashley Hatch] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty and a drop ball [to Kansas City Current].

Length of Review: 3:26

PRO’s opinion: The referee believed that Hatch (WAS) was ahead of her opponent and the penalty was awarded for a charging offense by Cook (KC). The VAR determined that Cook had challenged fairly for the ball and was not guilty of a foul. The referee was correct to rescind the penalty kick after video review.

GFC vs ORL: Mistaken identity

What happened: After review, the yellow card given to Gotham #15 [Tierna Davidson] was incorrectly issued. The foul on Orlando #15 [Angelina] was committed by Gotham #27 [Jess Carter].

The final decision was the yellow card for Gotham #15 was rescinded and given to Gotham #27. Play restarted with a penalty kick [to Orlando Pride].

Length of review: 2:04

PRO’s opinion: The penalty kick was correctly awarded, and a yellow card was issued for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity while attempting to play the ball. The tripping offense was committed by Carter (GFC) and not Davidson (GFC). The referee correctly rescinded the yellow card to Davidson and showed it to Carter.

As a reminder, mistaken identity is considered a factual review per the VAR protocol, which means that the referee does not need to go to the monitor. However, the referee should still show the VAR signal before changing the original on-field decision.

Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.