The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in MLS.
Matchday 4 overview There were nine Video Reviews during Matchday 4.
TOR vs RBNY: No penalty kick
Outcome: After review, Toronto #22 [Richie Laryea] did not foul New York #16 [Julian Hall] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 2:29
PRO’s opinion: Hall (RBNY) was challenged by Laryea (TOR) as he attempted to cross the ball, and there was contact between the two players before the attacker went to ground. The VAR determined that Laryea did not play the ball and made impactful contact with Hall and recommended an on-field review. The referee maintained his original decision because, even though Laryea did not play the ball and there was contact between the two players, the contact was not impactful enough to warrant a penalty.
ATL vs PHI: No penalty kick
Outcome: After review, Philadelphia #39 [Frankie Westfield] did not foul Atlanta #5 [Stian Gregersen] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was no penalty.
Length of Review: 3:01
PRO’s opinion: Gregersen (ATL) attempted to head the ball but was unsuccessful in making contact with it. The VAR determined that Westfield (PHI) had held Gregersen’s jersey, which affected his ability to reach the ball, and recommended an on-field review. While there was a small hold of the jersey prior to attempting to head the ball, it was not sustained. The video did not show impact on Gregersen’s ability to challenge for the ball, and the referee maintained his original decision of no penalty.
CLB vs NSH: No goal (offside)
Outcome: After review, Columbus #27 [Max Arfsten] was in an offside position when the ball was passed to him by Columbus #20 [Andre Gomes]. Columbus #27 then interfered with play when he touched the ball prior to Columbus #16 [Taha Habroune] scoring a goal.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Nashville].
Length of Review: 1:48
PRO’s opinion: This was a tight decision, but at the moment the ball was played to Arfsten (CLB), he was in an offside position. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense after video review.
DAL vs SD: Penalty kick
Outcome: After review, Dallas #18 [Shaq Moore] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to San Diego].
Length of review: 1:44
PRO’s opinion: Moore (DAL) attempted to block Alex Mighten’s (SD) cross, and it hit his right arm, which was extended away from his body and in an unnatural position. The referee correctly awarded a penalty kick after the video review.
HOU vs POR: Penalty kick
Outcome: After review, Houston #18 [Diadié Samassékou] fouled Portland #20 [Finn Surman] inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty [to Portland Timbers].
Length of Review: 3:48
PRO’s opinion: As Surman (POR) attempted to move into space on a corner, Samassékou (HOU), blocked his movement while holding him. The referee did not see this contact clearly and allowed play to continue. The VAR analyzed the available angles and determined that there was holding, which was sustained and had a clear impact on Surman being able to move toward the ball. The referee correctly awarded a penalty after video review.
CHI vs DC: Offside (no goal)
Outcome: After review, D.C. #25 [Jackson Hopkins] committed an offside offense prior to D.C. #9 [Tai Baribo] scoring a goal when he interfered with Chicago #1’s [Chris Brady] ability to defend.
The final decision was offside, interfering with an opponent, and play restarted with an indirect free kick [to Chicago Fire].
Length of review: 2:56
PRO’s opinion: When Baribo (DC) headed the ball from a corner goalward, Hopkins (DC) was in an offside position, in front of and in close proximity to the goalkeeper. His position and action to move out of the way of the ball had an impact on Brady’s (CHI) ability to attempt to make a save. The referee was correct to disallow the goal and restart play with an indirect free kick for offside, interfering with an opponent.
CHI vs DC: Penalty kick
Outcome: After review, D.C. #25 [Jackson Hopkins] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to Chicago Fire].
Length of review: 1:17
PRO’s opinion: Hopkins (DC) attempted to head the corner clear, but misjudged the trajectory of the ball, and it hit his right arm, which was extended away from his body and made his body unnaturally bigger. The referee correctly awarded a penalty kick after the video review.
CHI vs DC: Penalty kick
Outcome: After review, Chicago #24 [Johnny Dean] committed a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.
The final decision was a penalty kick [to D.C. United].
Length of review: 4:23
PRO’s opinion: Dean (CHI) moved into the area where Matti Peltola’s (DC) free kick was about to drop, and it struck his right arm, which was extended away from his body and in an unnatural position. The VAR recommended an on-field review, and the referee awarded a penalty for a handball offense. During the review, the referee also determined that the contact from Lucas Bartlett (DC) prior to the handball did not rise to the level of a pushing offense.
SJ vs SEA: Offside (no goal)
Outcome: After review, Seattle #11 [Albert Rusnák] committed an offside offense when he interfered with San Jose #42’s [Daniel] ability to defend, prior to Seattle #33 [Cody Baker] scoring a goal.
The final decision was offside, and play restarted with an indirect free kick [to San Jose Earthquakes].
Length of review: 3:55
PRO’s opinion: Baker’s (SEA) shot passed Rusnák (SEA), who was in an offside position but did not touch the ball, and went into the goal. The VAR determined that Daniel’s (SJ) line of vision was impacted as he was forced to lean to the right to see the ball, which then delayed his subsequent dive to his left. An on-field review was recommended, and after video review, the goal was disallowed for an offside offense.
Please note: These videos do not contain audio. They are a recording of the screen as viewed by the VAR in real-time.
