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The Definitive Angle: MLS Matchday 9

PRO media , min read

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

Matchday 9 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Matchday 9.

CLT vs SD: Penalty kick and yellow card (DOGSO)

Outcome: After review, San Diego #4 [Andres Reyes] fouled Charlotte #33 [Patrick Agyemang] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was a penalty kick [to Charlotte FC] and a [second] yellow card to San Diego #4 for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with an attempt to play the ball.

Length of review: 4:13

PRO’s opinion: As both Reyes (SD) and Agyemang (CLT) challenged for the ball outside the penalty area, they were holding each other’s jerseys. This holding continued into the penalty area, where Reyes’ hold on his opponent’s sleeve and waist had the greatest impact and forced Agyemang to ground. The referee, not recognizing that the holding continued into the penalty area, awarded a direct free kick and issued a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. After review, he was correct to award a penalty kick. He was also correct to rescind the straight red card and issue a yellow card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the penalty area with an attempt to play the ball. Reyes had previously been issued a yellow card, so the referee then issued a red card.

SEA vs NSH: Goal

Outcome: After review, no offside offense was committed by Seattle #19 [Danny Musovski] before he scored a goal.

The final decision was a goal [to Seattle Sounders].

Length of review: 1:43

PRO’s opinion: When Jesús Ferreira (SEA) took his shot at goal, Musovski (SEA) was in an onside position. Musovski redirected Ferreira’s shot and scored. The referee was correct to award the goal after video review.

POR vs LAFC: Penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Portland #21 [Diego Chara] fouled Los Angeles #99 [Denis Bouanga] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was a penalty kick [to Los Angeles FC].

Length of Review: 1:46

PRO’s opinion: Chara (POR) was moving in the opposite direction to Bouanga (LAFC), who had moved the ball to his right to attack the space in front of him. Chara’s left leg was extended and tripped Bouanga’s left foot, which forced him to ground. The referee correctly awarded a penalty kick after video review.

RSL vs TOR: Red card (violent conduct)

Outcome: After review, Salt Lake #8 [Diego Luna] committed an act of violent conduct on Toronto #28 [Raoul Petretta].

The final decision was a red card to Salt Lake #8 for violent conduct.

Length of Review: 4:05

PRO’s opinion: Luna (RSL) got his legs tangled up with Petretta (TOR) on the ground. As he got up and attempted to pull his leg free, the referee determined that Luna raked his right foot on his opponent’s left knee in a violent manner and issued a red card. This is a subjective call, and PRO would have preferred that no red card was issued. There was no act of brutality or malice by Luna in the process of freeing his leg.

STL vs VAN: No goal (offside)

Outcome: After review, St Louis #6 [Conrad Wallem] was in an offside position when the ball was last touched by his teammate, St Louis #12 [Célio Pompeu]. St Louis #6 then gained an advantage when he touched the ball prior to the goal by St Louis #17 [Marcel Hartel].

The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Vancouver Whitecaps].

Length of Review: 2:58

PRO’s opinion: Pompeu’s (STL) ball into the area was deflected away by Tristan Blackmon (VAN) toward Wallem (STL) when he stretched to block the ball. The touch by the defender was a deflection and not a deliberate play, therefore, Wallem was in an offside position when the ball was last touched by a teammate.

This was very similar to the incident in Atlanta in MLS Matchday 8.

The Laws of the Game state that a “deliberate play” is when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of passing, possessing, or clearing the ball. If a player has to stretch or their movement achieves only limited contact or control, it is not considered a “deliberate play”, even though the action by the defender is intentional or deliberate. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense after video review.

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