The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 7
The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 7 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 7.
ORL vs NC: Offside (no goal)
What happened: After review, Purple #3 [Kylie Strom – Orlando Pride] was in an offside position when Purple #20 [Julie Doyle – Orlando Pride] headed the ball forward during the build-up to the goal. Purple #3 then interfered with play when she touched the ball.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to NC Courage].
Length of Review: 4:13
PRO’s opinion: Storm (ORL) was standing behind the goalkeeper alongside an NC Courage defender and in an offside position when Doyle headed the ball. She then interfered with play when she touched the ball to score. This was a good use of the Video Review system to disallow a goal for an offside situation.
RGN vs SD: Red card (violent conduct)
What happened: After review, Blue #23 [Tziarra King – Seattle Reign] struck White #12 [Kennedy Wesley – San Diego Wave] in the face with her hand while not challenging for the ball.
The final decision was a red card to Blue #23 for violent conduct.
Length of Review: 2:26
PRO’s opinion: Wesley (SD) committed a holding offense that initially slowed King (RGN) down as she ran into space along the touchline. In retaliation, King struck Wesley’s face with an open hand by swinging her right arm backward. This was a very good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What happened: After review, White #14 [Kristen McNabb – San Diego Wave] struck Blue #10 [Jess Fishlock – Seattle Reign] with a clenched fist in the face while not challenging for the ball.
The final decision was a red card to White #14 for violent conduct.
Length of review: 1:53
PRO’s opinion: Neither player was focused on the flight of the ball when McNabb (SD) struck Fishlock’s (RGN) face with a closed fist. McNabb was correctly sent off for violent conduct, and this was a good use of the Video Review system to reach the correct outcome.
What happened: After review, the tripping foul by Red #23 [Marie Müller – Portland Thorns] on Black #2 [Trinity Rodman – Washington Spirit] occurred outside the penalty area.
The final decision was a direct free kick [to Washington Spirit].
Length of review: 0:40
PRO’s opinion: The VAR correctly observed that the point of contact was just outside the penalty area. This was a good, very efficient use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
What happened: After review, Gray #27 [Kayla Sharples – Bay FC] tripped Blue #55 [Penelope Hocking – Chicago Red Stars] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was penalty kick [to Chicago Red Stars] and a yellow card to Gray #27 for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with an attempt to play the ball.
Length of review: 2:40
PRO’s opinion: Hocking (CHI) changed direction by playing the ball toward the middle of the penalty area and away from Sharples (BAY), who was committed to a sliding tackle. The referee incorrectly judged this tripping offense as normal contact in real-time. This was a good use of the Video Review system to rectify a clear and obvious error.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.