The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 3

by

PRO Media
2 Min Read
Video Review quad screen

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

Week 3 overview
There were three Video Reviews during Week 3.

SEA vs KC: No penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Kansas City #2 [Laney Rouse] did not commit a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty.

Length of review: 3:21

PRO’s opinion: As Maddie Mercado (SEA) and Rouse (KC) challenged for a cross from Sofia Huerta (SEA), the ball struck Rouse’s hand after Mercado took a touch. The referee judged the handball to be by the attacker. The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that Rouse had made her body unnaturally bigger. While the defender’s arm was away from her body, it was justifiable for her action of challenging her opponent. The referee maintained his original decision of no penalty after video review.

BOS vs UTA: No foul

Outcome: After review, Utah #8 [Kate Del Fava] did not foul Boston #14 [Aissata Traoré] outside the penalty area.

The final decision was no foul.

Length of Review: 2:40

PRO’s opinion: Traoré (BOS) had control of the ball as she approached the penalty area when she was challenged from behind by Del Fava (UTA), who made contact on the attacker’s shoulder with her arm. However, the impact from this contact is subjective as there was no clear pushing action. Additionally, any contact on the legs was made as the attacker was already going to ground. Due to the subjective nature, PRO would have preferred that no review was recommended.

NC vs BAY: No penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Bay #25 [Anouk Denton] did not foul North Carolina #13 [Ryan Williams] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty.

Length of Review: 3:55

PRO’s opinion: Denton (BAY) and Williams (NC) contested a loose ball, which the attacker touched before going down after a challenge from the defender. The referee determined that the contact was normal and allowed play to continue. The VAR analyzed the available angles and believed that a foul had occurred. The referee concluded that Denton’s contact with Williams did not rise to the level of a foul and maintained her original decision after video review. Although this a subjective decision, PRO would have preferred a penalty kick to have been awarded.

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