MLS caught on camera

KAS
Sep 2, 2017
3 min read

Well hey MLS, welcome to the digital age. You'd think with the implementation of modern technology Major League Soccer would improve but it turns out the Stone Age MLS might be better.

As of mid-season, the MLS decided video replay would enhance the quality of game and in theory this could be right. With such a (usually) low-scoring sport and only four referees across the entire field, we've seen how one bad call is the difference between a win, tie, penalty kicks or a loss.

So when you think about it that way, video replay does sound pretty valuable for ensuring fair games. But with a continuously running clock and an extremely contact-friendly sport, I'm just not sure it's 100 percent realistic.

And while the rules state replay can only be reviewed for "clear and obvious errors or seriously missed incidents," with that definition a case could be argued for any hands-on play that doesn't get a whistle... which are pretty much all plays near the box. This whole concept might be more of an inconvenient curse than a game-saving blessing.

But let's go over the rules anyway. The video review procedures call for one V.A.R (or video assistant referee) to decide whether occurrences are reviewable and/or to recommend the replay of specific plays. For a game moment to be reviewed, it must meet one of these four match-changing criteria: a goal, straight red card (no yellows), penalty kick or mistaken identity (most commonly in the case of an issued card.)

In a game intended for continuous play, you can see how this might be problematic. Yea, we can now double check the right man deserves a red card or a goal scorer was onside... but if it takes seventeen minutes for the ref to find a clear video angle, this might disrupt the sport's integrity.

The V.A.R. has been used multiple times since its implementation, with a goal called back in each of the first two uses - FC Dallas vs. Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy.

While this may ease the pressure off referee's shoulders in some ways, it also places heavier weight in others. In American football the footage is reviewed upstairs and the call is issued back to referees so nobody blames an identifiable person for the call - and while the MLS has the VAR in a booth far away, the field ref is in charge of viewing video footage and making the call. On a folding table. Against the sidelines. In front of thousands of passionate fans.

So ya know... that sucks. If refs still get a call "wrong" or somehow still miss a key piece of play, it happens in front of the entire stadium and the blame rests solely on him/her. There's no excuse for mistakes anymore.

The V.A.R. also sits in a booth away from the field. This means his/her vision is limited to the broadcast camera angles - yet holds all power on deciding which incidents may be reviewed.

I don't know about all this, guys. Idk.

In football, coaches are also only given a small number of plays they can demand review of and video replay is not allowed in the final two minutes of game time. These limits are designed to calm down the ref's pressure in crunch time and ease the reliance on video proof after each play. Some would argue these final two minutes are when video replay might matter most - but hey, what do I know?

Soccer's adaptation of video replay is new and still could likely use a few tweaks, for example allowing coaches to request the review of specific plays or the replay of yellow cards.

But either way, ready or not technology, here comes the MLS with a small screen and funny hand gestures.