The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 13 overview There were five Video Reviews during Week 13.
ORL vs BOS: No penalty
Outcome: After review, Orlando #13 [Jacquie Ovalle] did not foul Boston #16 [Jorelyn Carabalí] inside the penalty area
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 3:19
PRO’s opinion: As the corner kick was delivered into the penalty area, Ovalle (ORL) held Carabalí (BOS) with both arms, causing her to fall to the ground. The VAR was correct to recommend a review, and a penalty kick should have been awarded for a cynical hold.
DEN vs POR: No penalty
Outcome: After review, Portland #25 [M.A. Vignola] did not foul Denver #6 [Janine Sonis] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 3:13
PRO’s opinion: Vignola (POR) played the ball cleanly with her right foot, and the subsequent contact with Sonis (DEN) was the result of a fair challenge. The referee saw that the defender had played the ball and was correct to maintain the original decision of no foul after video review.
GFC vs SEA: Penalty kick
Outcome: After review, Gotham #6 [Emily Sonnett] fouled Seattle #17 [Sally Menti] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to Seattle Reign].
Length of Review: 5:12
PRO’s opinion: As Menti (SEA) attempted to play the ball, Sonnett (GFC) kicked her right foot, causing her to fall to the ground. The referee was correct to award a penalty kick after video review.
CHI vs LA: No goal (offside)
Outcome: After review, Los Angeles #24 [Prisca Chilufya] was in an offside position when the ball was played to her by Los Angeles #16 [Carina Lageyre]. Los Angeles #24 then interfered with play when she touched the ball prior to Los Angeles #32 [Sveindís Jónsdóttir] scoring a goal. The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Chicago Stars].
Length of Review: 4:03
PRO’s opinion: Because of the distance between the players, it was not possible to say with certainty that Chilufya (LA) was clearly ahead of the second-last opponent. The original decision to allow the goal was not a clear and obvious error, and given the high line of intervention, PRO prefers that a review not be recommended on this occasion.
UTA vs ORL: Red card (delaying the restart)
Outcome: After review, Utah Royals goalkeeper coach James White was sent off for deliberately throwing the ball away to delay Orlando Pride from restarting play.
The final decision was a red card to the Utah Royals’ goalkeeper coach.
Length of Review: 2:55
PRO’s opinion: After a free kick was awarded to Orlando Pride, White (UTA) picked up the ball and threw it away before McCutcheon (ORL) could retrieve it for the restart. Deliberately throwing the ball away to delay a restart is specifically listed in the Laws of the Game as a sending-off offense for team officials when the restart belongs to the opposing team. The referee was correct to issue a red card 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.
