Going back to the horrendous VAR call in the LAFC-DC match, looking at the upcoming schedule for DC makes it that much tougher to swallow. A goal there leads to a likely 3 points, moving them ahead of two teams in the East with road games against obviously scuffling Seattle and Toronto before the World Cup break. Then it's NER and LAG on the road before finally opening up Audi Field. I have no doubt they're not a playoff team, but the style they played on Saturday was the most exciting thing I think I've ever watched an Olsen team try and they were robbed. Keep that style going into the two easier road games and now you're looking at being within shouting distance of the last playoff spot in the East with a schedule heavily loaded towards home games the second half of the season. VAR simply cannot get that call wrong. It was a dive and a handball in the box. There is no way to legitimately come up with another call in that situation. The fact that it's even less egregious of an error than the non review in the SKC-Cbus match shows how far the technology and officiating both have to go before they're not an embarrassment to the sport.
So it was just the way that the question was posed? How about: "Was such and such play reviewed?" and then, "why was a red not given?"
There’s a CBA between the referees and journalists? MLS/Pro are a farce. The referees don’t have to answer, but they should be asked. Every time. If not, journalists aren’t doing their job. Thx, Jay!
A clarification from someone who asks questions. Let me clarify what I said. We can ask why a call was made. We can’t ask what the conversation was between the ref and the booth. https://t.co/NyaVpN450T— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) May 28, 2018 You can ask why a call was made, not ask what happened in VAR.
#USMNT vs Bolivia: Bono; Lichaj, Zimmerman, Palmer-Brown, Robinson; McKennie; Weah, Corona, Pulisic, Rubin; Sargent.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) May 28, 2018
Isn't this early? Isn't the game at 6:30? Bolivia seems to have brought almost no one with international experience. This game is going to cause the worst of overreactions.
And we now know the answer was #1. Statement from PRO. The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) takes very seriously the training, education, and proficiency of officials. During the 54th minute of the match between Sporting Kansas City and Columbus Crew SC on May 27, violent conduct was displayed by Crew SC midfielder Cristian Martinez. The incident was not seen by the on-field officials. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checked and analyzed the play, but incorrectly assessed the nature of the offense. According to the Laws of the Game, striking or attempting to strike an opponent constitutes a direct red card. The non-showing of a red card to Martinez for violent conduct was a clear and obvious error, and the VAR failed in not recommending a review for the non-issuing of a red card. PRO meticulously studies every use and every non-use of video review, and will ensure that these errors are addressed as part of the ongoing training, education and development of Video Assistant Referees. And a tweet from Webb "No Nate, he just got too wrapped up trying to confirm whether there was contact or not, rather than looking at the big picture, which showed at least an attempt to strike, which is a red card offense and one which VAR should get involved in."