The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Matchday 25 overview There were seven Video Reviews during Matchday 25.
PHI vs CIN: Red card (serious foul play)
Outcome: After review, Cincinnati #5 [Obinna Nwobodo] committed a challenge that endangered the safety of Philadelphia #39 [Frankie Westfield].
The final decision was a red card to Cincinnati #5 for serious foul play.
Length of Review: 3:14
PRO’s opinion: Nwobodo (CIN) reached out with his studs exposed and made contact with Westfield’s (PHI) ankle, which caused it to bend. The referee initially issued a yellow card for a reckless challenge, believing the contact was on the foot. When he viewed it at the monitor, he changed his decision to a red card because in the opinion of the referee, it endangered the safety of his opponent.
PHI vs CIN: No goal (handball)
Outcome: After review, Philadelphia #27 [Kai Wagner] committed a handball offense in the buildup to Philadelphia #9 [Bruno Damiani] scoring a goal.
The final decision was that the goal [for Philadelphia Union] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to FC Cincinnati].
Length of Review: 2:00
PRO’s opinion: While controlling the ball in the air, it struck Wagner’s (PHI) left arm, which helped him control the ball. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for a handball offense in the attacking possession phase after video review.
PHI vs CIN: No goal (offside)
Outcome: After review, Cincinnati #2 [Alvas Powell] was in an offside position when the ball was passed to him by Cincinnati #20 [Pavel Bucha]. Cincinnati #2 then interfered with play when he crossed the ball in the buildup to Cincinnati #20 scoring a goal.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Philadelphia Union].
Length of Review: 1:14
PRO’s opinion: At the moment the ball was played to Powell (CIN) by Bucha (CIN), he was in an offside position. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense after video review.
DC vs CLB: No penalty
Outcome: After review, Columbus #7 [Dylan Chambost] did not commit a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 4:00
PRO’s opinion: Although his arm position was by his side, Chambost (CLB) moved his left arm toward the ball with a deliberate action that made his body bigger. The referee maintained his original decision of no penalty, but PRO would have preferred a penalty kick was awarded because Chambost’s action created a barrier to the ball.
ATL vs ORL: Goal
Outcome: After review, no offside offense was committed by Orlando #10 [Martín Ojeda] prior to Orlando #77 [Iván Angulo] scoring a goal.
The final decision was a goal [to Orlando City].
Length of Review: 1:14
PRO’s opinion: At the moment the ball was played to Ojeda (ORL), he was in an onside position. The referee was correct to award the goal after video review.
NYC vs NE: No goal (offside)
Outcome: After review, New England #16 [Dániel Gazdag] was in an offside position when the ball was passed to him by New England #12 [Ilay Feingold]. New England #16 then interfered with play when he touched the ball prior to scoring a goal.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to New York City].
Length of Review: 1:20
PRO’s opinion: At the moment the ball was played to Gazdag (NE) by Feingold (NE), he was in an offside position. Thiago Martins’s (NYC) touch was a deflection, not a deliberate play, and did not reset the attacking possession phase. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense after video review.
SD vs SJ: Penalty kick
Outcome: After review, San Jose #25 [Max Floriani] fouled San Diego #94 [Cédric Bakambu] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to San Diego FC] and a red card to San Jose #25.
Length of Review: 4:00
PRO’s opinion: Floriani (SJ) grabbed the front of Bakambu’s (SD) jersey without any attempt to challenge for the ball, impacting his ability to challenge Angus Gunn (SJ), the San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper. As Floriani had previously received a yellow card, the referee issued a second yellow card for deliberate holding offense and a subsequent red card. The referee was correct to award a penalty kick 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.
