The Definitive Angle: NWSL Week 6

by

PRO Media
3 Min Read
Video Review quad screen

The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.

Week 6 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Week 6.

BOS vs NC: No penalty

Outcome: After review, Boston #16 [Jorelyn Carabalí] did not foul North Carolina #2 [Ashley Sanchez] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty and a drop ball [to Boston Legacy].

Length of Review: 2:41

PRO’s opinion: Carabalí (BOS), in an attempt to challenge for the ball, made contact with her right arm on Sanchez’s (NC) right arm. The attacker fell to the ground and the referee awarded a penalty kick. The VAR analyzed the available angles and identified that the contact did not rise to the level of a foul. The referee correctly rescinded the penalty after video review.

WAS vs LOU: No penalty

Outcome: After review, Washington #17 [Hal Hershfelt] did not foul Louisville #20 [Katie O’Kane] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty and a drop ball [to Washington Spirit].

Length of Review: 2:46

PRO’s opinion: O’Kane (LOU) was challenged by Hershfelt (WAS), who went to ground in an attempt to play the ball. The referee awarded a penalty kick for a tripping offense. The VAR analyzed the available angles and identified that the defender played the ball with her left foot before the subsequent contact with her opponent. The referee correctly rescinded the penalty after video review.

NC vs KC: Red card (violent conduct)

Outcome: After review, North Carolina #11 [Felicitas Rauch] committed a violent conduct offense on Kansas City #13 [Haley Hopkins].

The final decision was a red card to North Carolina #11.

Length of review: 1:50

PRO’s opinion: Rauch (NC) headed the ball and then deliberately pulled Hopkins’ (KC) hair. The incident was not seen by the referee, who allowed the game to continue until the ball went out for a throw-in. The VAR reviewed the incident and recommended an on-field review. After examining the video evidence, the referee was correct to issue a red card for violent conduct.

LA vs UTA: No penalty

Outcome: After review, Los Angeles #8 [Ary Borges] fouled Utah #11 [Mina Tanaka].

The final decision was a direct free kick [to Utah Royals].

Length of Review: 5:45

PRO’s opinion: As Tanaka (UTA) and Borges (LA) contested the ball on the edge of the penalty area, they attempted to kick the ball, collided, and fell to the ground. The referee judged this as normal contact and allowed play to continue.

The VAR analyzed the available angles and believed that Tanaka fouled Borges, but that Gisele Thompson (LA) committed an offside offense in the APP that would cancel the potential penalty. The referee determined that Borges had committed an offense by initiating contact with her opponent and awarded Utah Royals a free kick. While this was correct, once at the monitor, the preferred outcome would have been to award an indirect free kick for the offside offense.

LA vs UTA: No penalty

Outcome: After review, Utah #8 [Kate Del Fava] did not foul Los Angeles #24 [Prisca Chilufya] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty and a drop ball [to Utah Royals].

Length of Review: 3:08

PRO’s opinion: Del Fava (UTA) and Chilufya (LA) collided, and the referee awarded a penalty after she judged that Del Fava had failed to play the ball and instead tripped her opponent. The VAR analyzed the available angles and identified that there was no contact inside the penalty area that rose to the level of a foul. The referee correctly rescinded the penalty 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.