The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 22 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 22.
NC vs GFC: No goal (offside)
Outcome: After review, North Carolina #23 [Gianna Paul] was in an offside position when the ball was passed to her by North Carolina #13 [Ryan Williams]. North Carolina #23 then interfered with play when she touched the ball prior to North Carolina #2 [Ashley Sanchez] scoring a goal.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Gotham FC].
Length of Review: 2:23
PRO’s opinion: At the moment the ball was played to Paul (NC) by Williams (NC), she was in an offside position. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense after video review.
SD vs KC: Direct free kick and red card
Outcome: After review, Kansas City #2 [Laney Rouse] fouled San Diego #81 [Gabi Portilho] outside the penalty area.
The final decision was no penalty, a direct free kick [to San Diego Wave] and a yellow card for stopping a promising attack [and subsequent red card] to Kansas City #2.
Length of Review: 1:22
PRO’s opinion: Rouse (KC) tripped Portilho (SD) on the edge of the penalty area. The offense occurred outside the penalty area, and the referee was correct to cancel the penalty kick and award a direct free kick. As Rouse had already been cautioned earlier in the match, the second yellow card for stopping a promising attack resulted in a red card.
Outcome: After review, Chicago #20 [Bea Franklin] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to Washington Spirit] and a yellow card to Chicago #20 for stopping a promising attack.
Length of Review: 3:58
PRO’s opinion: Although Franklin’s (CHI) left arm movement was deliberate, the ball deflected off near her shoulder. At the monitor, the referee felt that the point of contact with the ball was low enough down the arm to be a handball offense. To determine handball offenses, the upper boundary of the arm is defined as being in line with the bottom of the armpit, meaning that not every contact between a player’s hand/arm and the ball constitutes an offense. This is a subjective decision, and PRO would have preferred a penalty kick and yellow card were not awarded on this occasion.
Outcome: After review, Utah #4 [Paige Cronin] denied Los Angeles #24 [Prisca Chilufya] an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
The final decision was a red card to Utah #4 and a direct free kick [to Angel City].
Length of Review: 1:44
PRO’s opinion: Cronin (UTA) failed to control an aerial ball, which fell to Chilufya (LA) as she ran toward the Utah Royals’ penalty area. Cronin then tripped the attacker, denying her an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The referee was correct to issue a red card after video review.
Outcome: After review, Utah #17 [Ana Tejada] committed a violent conduct offense on Los Angeles #8 [Ary Borges] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to Angel City] and a red card to Utah #17.
Length of Review: 2:45
PRO’s opinion: While the ball was in the air inside the Utah Royals’ penalty area, Tejada (UTA) pulled Borges (LA) by the hair, causing her to fall to the ground. The referee was correct to award a penalty kick and issue a red card for violent conduct 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.