The Definitive Angle: MLS Week 29
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Week 29 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 29.
MIA vs NSH: Review for penalty kick (handball) – not given
What happened: A cross from Jacob Shaffelburg (NSH) was blocked by DeAndre Yedlin (MIA) and deflected for a corner. The referee did not identify an offense in real-time and awarded a corner.
The VAR determined that Yedlin had his arm extended away from his body, creating a barrier for the ball. However, when checking the APP, he identified that Shaffelburg was in an offside position when the ball was passed to him. The VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible penalty, but with an offside in the APP, and after Video Review, the referee awarded an indirect free kick to Inter Miami for the offside offense.
On-field decision: Corner kick.
Type of review: Penalty kick but with offside in the APP.
Final decision after review: Offside.
Length of review: 2:16.
PRO’s opinion: This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
CLT vs ORL: Review for red card (violent conduct) – not given
What happened: Rodrigo Schlegel (ORL) and Enzo Copetti (CLT) were jostling for space off the ball as they anticipated a cross from the right-hand side. In response to Schlegel reaching out and making contact with Copetti’s chest, Copetti raised his arm and made contact with Schlegel’s neck and chin, forcing the defender to ground. The referee awarded a direct free kick and issued a yellow card to Copetti for showing a lack of respect to the game.
The VAR analyzed the available angles and recommended an on-field review for a possible red card, given the point of contact and the fact that this was done while not challenging for the ball.
The referee did not feel that the amount of force used rose to the level of violent conduct and maintained his decision following Video Review.
On-field decision: Yellow card (showing a lack of respect to the game).
Type of review: Red card (violent conduct).
Final decision after review: No change.
Length of review: 2:40.
PRO’s opinion: The action from Copetti was deliberate, and he led with the arm, making contact to the neck and chin while not challenging for the ball. The preferred outcome is a red card for violent conduct.
What happened: Jesús Bueno (PHI) challenged Raoul Petretta (TOR), who was in control of the ball, from behind. There was no opportunity to play the ball in a fair manner, and Bueno kicked Petretta in the back of the legs. The referee awarded a free kick to Toronto and issued Bueno with a yellow card for a reckless challenge.
The VAR recommended an on-field review for a red card for violent conduct. After Video Review, the referee rescinded the yellow card and issued a red card.
On-field decision: Yellow card (reckless challenge).
Type of review: Red card (violent conduct).
Final decision after review: Red card.
Length of review: 4:10.
PRO’s opinion: The action from Bueno was not done in an attempt to play the ball and he used excessive force and brutality. The red card was the correct outcome.
What happened: Nökkvi Thórisson (STL) was looking to find a position to receive a pass from teammate João Klauss (STL) just outside the penalty area when Facundo Quignon (DAL) reached out and pulled him to the ground by his arm. The referee awarded a direct free kick and issued a yellow card and subsequent red card to Asier Illarramendi (DAL) for receiving two yellow cards in the same match.
The VAR identified that Quignon had committed the holding offense and not Illarramendi and recommended a factual review. The referee rescinded both the yellow card and red card and issued a yellow card to Quignon.
On-field decision: Yellow card and subsequent red card to Asier Illarramendi.
Type of review: Mistaken identity.
Final decision after review: Yellow card and subsequent red card to Asier Illarramendi rescinded, and yellow card issued to Quignon.
Length of review: 2:00.
PRO’s opinion: Quignon and Illarramendi were in close proximity, and the referee lost track of Quignon and issued a yellow card to Illarramendi in error. This was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome in a case of mistaken identity.
What happened: Diego Chara (POR) tripped Braian Ojeda (RSL), and the referee awarded a direct free kick to Real Salt Lake. Ojeda pushed Chara back to clear space to take a quick free kick. Chara reacted and made contact on the side of Ojeda’s face, who then went to ground holding his face.
The VAR analyzed the available angles, determined that this was an act of violent conduct, and recommended an on-field review. After Video Review, the referee believed that the amount of force was negligible and not an act of brutality. A yellow card was issued for showing a lack of respect to the game.
On-field decision: Play on.
Type of review: Red card (violent conduct).
Final decision after review: Yellow card (showing a lack of respect to the game).
Length of review: 2:41.
PRO’s opinion: The amount of contact is low, and while it was to the face there was no brutality or excessive force to indicate that this was violent conduct. This was an unnecessary recommendation.