,

The Definitive Angle: MLS Matchday 24

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 MLS.

Matchday 24 overview
There were five Video Reviews during Matchday 24.

PHI vs MTL: No goal (offside)

Outcome: After review, Montréal #21 [Fabian Herbers] was in an offside position when the ball was passed to him. Montréal #21 then interfered with play when he touched the ball prior to Montréal #9 [Prince Owusu] scoring a goal.

The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Philadelphia Union].

Length of Review: 1:21

PRO’s opinion: At the moment the ball was played to Herbers (MTL), he was in an offside position. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense after video review.

ATX vs SJ: No goal (attacker handball)

Outcome: After review, Austin #11 [Facundo Torres] committed an attacker handball offense in the process of scoring a goal.

The final decision was that the goal [for Austin FC] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to San Jose Earthquakes].

Length of Review: 3:09

PRO’s opinion: The ball struck Torres’ (ATX) body before making contact with his arm immediately prior to him scoring. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for an attacker handball offense after video review.

As a reminder, while this would not have been penalized if the ball struck the arm of a defender in this manner, the Laws of the Game are clear when it comes to attacker handballs: “It is an offense if a player scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper.”

This is a factual decision, and the VAR/referee only need to conclude whether the ball touched the arm or not.

MIA vs ATL: Penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Miami #5 [Casemiro] fouled Atlanta #10 [Miguel Almiron] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was a penalty kick [to Atlanta United].

Length of Review: 1:27

PRO’s opinion: As Almiron (ATL) took a shot on goal, Casemiro (MIA) attempted to block it but made contact with his studs on Almiron’s leg. This was a reckless foul and the referee was correct to award a penalty kick after video review.

DAL vs SKC: Penalty kick

Outcome: After review, Kansas City #3 [Moisés Mosquera] fouled Dallas #9 [Petar Musa] inside the penalty area.

The final decision was a penalty kick [to FC Dallas].

Length of Review: 4:24

PRO’s opinion: While Mosquera (SKC) attempted to avoid the ball, his momentum caused his foot to make contact with Musa’s (DAL) foot and trip him. The contact occurred over the penalty area line, and the referee was correct to upgrade his original decision of a direct free kick to a penalty kick after video review.

VAN vs STL: No penalty

Outcome: After review, St Louis #6 [Conrad Wallem] did not commit a punishable handball offense inside the penalty area.

The final decision was no penalty. Play restarted with a drop ball to St Louis #1 [Roman Bürki].

Length of Review: 2:19

PRO’s opinion: After Brian White (VAN) headed the ball across goal, it made contact with the back of Wallem’s (STL) head, not his hand. The referee was correct to rescind 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.