The Definitive Angle is PRO’s analysis of the week’s Video Review use in NWSL.
Week 26 overview
There were two Video Reviews during Week 26.
DEN vs LOU: No goal (attacker handball)
Outcome: After review, Denver #25 [Melissa Kössler] committed an attacker handball offense in the process of scoring a goal.
The final decision was that the goal [for Denver Summit] was disallowed. Play restarted with a direct free kick [to Racing Louisville].
Length of Review: 2:36
PRO’s opinion: Kössler (DEN) touched the ball with her right arm before 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 immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.”
This is a factual decision, and the VAR/referee only need to conclude whether the ball touched the arm or not.
SD vs BOS: No goal (offside)
Outcome: After review, San Diego #22 [Lia Godfrey] was in an offside position when the ball was passed to her by San Diego #11 [Gia Corley]. San Diego #22 then interfered with play when she touched the ball prior to eventually scoring a goal.
The final decision was offside and an indirect free kick [to Boston Legacy].
Length of Review: 3:36
PRO’s opinion: At the moment the ball was played to Godfrey (SD) by Corley (SD), she was in an offside position. The referee was correct to disallow the goal for the offside offense 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.