The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 12
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 12 overview
There were seven Video Reviews during Week 12.
MIA vs NE: Review for goal (offside in APP) – not given
What Happened: A goal was scored by Noel Buck (NE) and awarded by the on-field officials. When the shot was taken, Latif Blessing (NE) was in an offside position.
When the VAR checked footage of the incident, she saw that Blessing had obstructed the line of vision of goalkeeper Drake Callender (MIA), and that impacted the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball.
The VAR recommended a Video Review for offside, interfering with an opponent. After seeing the footage at the RRA, the referee agreed and disallowed the goal. Play restarted with an indirect free kick for the offside offense.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 2:45.
PRO’s Opinion: Although the amount of impact on the goalkeeper is difficult to judge, when the shot was taken the goalkeeper’s view was obstructed and this is specifically addressed in Law 11. This was a good use of the Video Review system to disallow a goal for offside, interfering with an opponent.
ATL vs CLT: Review for penalty kick (holding) – not given
What Happened: Kamil Józwiak (CLT) was looking to meet a low left-wing cross from Karol Swiderski (CLT) inside the penalty area when he was challenged by Andrew Gutman (ATL). The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue.
When the VAR reviewed all available angles, he saw that Gutman, from a position behind, held the jersey of Józwiak. This hold had an impact on the forward progress of Józwiak, who only had goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (ATL) to beat and affected his shot on goal. The VAR recommended a review for a penalty kick.
After Video Review, the referee awarded a penalty and additionally issued a red card to Gutman for DOGSO because there was no attempt to play the ball.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty and red card (DOGSO).
Length of review: 2:50.
PRO’s Opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: A goal was scored by Cucho (CLB) and awarded by the on-field officials.
When the VAR checked footage of the incident, he determined that Cucho was in an offside position when Jacen Russell-Rowe (CLB) passed the ball through to him to score.
After seeing the footage at the RRA, the referee agreed and disallowed the goal. Play restarted with an indirect free kick for the offside offense.
On-field decision: Goal.
Type of review: No goal – offside.
Final decision after review: No goal.
Length of review: 1:38.
PRO’s Opinion: This was an efficient and effective use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: Amine Bassi (HOU) challenged Nicolás Lodeiro (SEA) for the ball. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and allowed play to continue. Both players were reaching for the ball, and Bassi made strong contact with his studs, beginning on Lodeiro’s shin and finishing on his ankle.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that a clear and obvious error had occurred in not issuing a red card for a challenge that endangered the safety of the opponent. He recommended an on-field review.
Following Video Review, the referee issued a red card to Bassi and restarted play with a direct free kick to Seattle Sounders.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 1:38.
PRO’s Opinion: This is serious foul play and a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
HOU vs SEA: Review for red card (serious foul play) 2 – not given
What Happened: Ethan Bartlow (HOU) challenged Paul Rothrock (SEA) for a ball in the air. Bartlow played the ball, but in doing so, he made contact in the face of Rothrock with his forearm, and the referee issued a yellow card for the reckless nature of the challenge.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that it was a clear and obvious error not to issue a red card due to the point of contact and the speed/force used and recommended an on-field review.
After Video Review, the referee maintained his original decision of a yellow card.
On-field decision: Yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (serious foul play).
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:10.
PRO’s Opinion: There was a mix of considerations for a red card on this incident. Bartlow was looking at the ball and did not swing his arm while the contact was made with the forearm, not the elbow. The point of contact is to the face, and the level of force and speed is high. Therefore, the referee was not wrong in maintaining his original decision.
COL vs PHI: Review for penalty kick (in or out) – not given
What Happened: Damion Lowe (PHI) kicked the foot of Diego Rubio (COL) as he attempted to play the ball. The referee awarded a direct free kick to Colorado Rapids, just outside the penalty area.
The VAR analyzed the available angles, determined that the contact occurred inside the penalty area, and recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee awarded a penalty kick.
On-field decision: Direct free kick.
Type of review: Penalty kick.
Final decision after review: Penalty.
Length of review: 2:10.
PRO’s Opinion: The contact occurred inside the penalty area. This was a good use of the Video Review system to overturn a clear and obvious error.
What Happened: Michael Barrios (COL) sparked a mass confrontation when he pushed Andre Blake (PHI) after the ball had gone out of play for a goal kick.
The referee identified Jack Elliott (PHI) and Jakob Glesnes (PHI) showed a lack of respect for the game during the confrontation. The referee also observed Braian Galván (COL) grab Glesnes with both arms and wrestle him to the ground. The referee issued yellow cards to Barrios, Elliott, and Glesnes and a red card to Galván for violent conduct.
The VAR analyzed the available angles, observed Jesús Bueno (PHI) struck Galván on the head, and recommended an on-field review. Following Video Review, the referee issued a red card to Bueno for violent conduct.
On-field decision: Three yellow cards and one red card.
Type of review: An additional red card (violent conduct).
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 3:20.
PRO’s Opinion: The referee was correct to issue the red card to Galván. This was also a correct intervention and outcome to issue the red card to Bueno.