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The Definitive Angle: MLS Matchday 1

by

PRO Media
3 Min Read
Video Review quad screen

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

Matchday 1 overview
There were four Video Reviews during Matchday 1.

SD vs MTL: Red card (serious foul play)

Outcome: After review, Montréal #3 [Tomas Aviles] committed a serious foul play offense on San Diego #90 [Amahl Pellegrino].

The final decision was a red card for serious foul play.

Length of review: 3:24

PRO’s opinion: Aviles (MTL) lunged into a challenge with Pellegrino (SD) and made full contact with his studs into the Achilles of his opponent with high force. The referee saw that the tackle was low and issued a yellow card for a reckless challenge. He was correct to issue a red card for serious foul play after video review.

LA vs NYC: Penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Los Angeles #25 [Emiro Garces] tripped New York City #7 [Nicolas Fernandez] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was a penalty [to New York City FC].

Length of Review: 3:36

PRO’s opinion: Fernandez (NYC) gained position on Garces (LA) inside the area and was in control of the ball and in a good position to take a shot on goal when the defender made contact on the heel of his opponent, and then the back of his legs, as he fell. The challenge brought Fernandez down, and the referee was correct to award a penalty kick after video review for the tripping offense. As this foul denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity while attempting to play the ball, the referee issued a yellow card. This was Garces’ second yellow card of the game, and he was issued a subsequent red card.

SEA vs COL: No goal (foul)

Outcome: After review, Seattle #95 [Osaze De Rosario] fouled Colorado #77 [Darren Yapi] prior to Seattle #31 [Hassani Dotson] scoring a goal.

The final decision was no goal and a direct free kick [to Colorado Rapids].

Length of Review: 4:04

PRO’s opinion: In the process of contesting the ball in the air, De Rosario (SEA) made contact with Yapi’s (COL) head – who had cleared it – with his own head. The ball eventually fell to Dotson (SEA), who scored a goal. The VAR recommended a review because he determined that the contact by De Rosario was late and had an impact on Yapi’s ability to defend. This was a subjective call because both players made a genuine attempt to head the ball and PRO would have preferred this was not recommended for review because it did not meet the high threshold for a clear and obvious error. The referee disallowed the goal after video review due to the foul in the attacking possession phase.

SEA vs COL: Yellow card (reckless challenge)

What happened: After review, Colorado #24 [Noah Cobb] committed a reckless challenge on Seattle #14 [Paul Rothrock].

The final decision was a yellow card for a reckless challenge.

Length of review: 3:55

PRO’s opinion: The referee, from his angle, determined that Cobb (COL) led with his elbow and forearm as he entered an aerial challenge with Reggie Cannon (COL) and Rothrock (SEA), and made contact with excessive force on his opponent. While Cobb did not play the ball, there was no deliberate swing of the arm to Rothrock’s face, and he did not lead with his elbow. The referee correctly rescinded the red card for violent conduct and issued a yellow card for a reckless challenge 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.