Breaking Down the Biggest Calls From Matchday 7!

Andrew Wiebe is back for another edition of Instant Replay to breakdown the most controversial plays in MLS.
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[@hunterwelcher5485]

So, why don't we have cameras on the opposite side of the field for a lot of these? It's been a problem for a while, and with multiple angle issues in a single matchday where a reverse angle would likely show a clear enough view to make the call, it seems like the league should look at the investment.

[@PoorlyThoughtOut]

For real. Having this many instances of “not enough visual evidence” is wild for the league. Same as not having goal line tech or offsides tech. Unacceptable at this point for the league.

[@DrDisemb0wel]

"Too expensive"

[@johnmcgimpsey1825]

Per the IFAB VAR Protocol, the VAR only uses "TV camera footage" in their evaluation. TV cameras are placed by the production company, not MLS or PRO, for entertainment value (though they could probably mandate more if they wanted to pay extra money).

[@pitdoctor]

Because MLS is cheap.

[@Sklounst_Actual]

We really need to have a conversation and rules clarification about what constitutes a "natural motion" while jumping

[@offpassive]

Totally agree. Without a clear definition, it could mean absolutely anything.

[@Natedogg4242]

I don’t know why but I love this guy he teaches people about the game if I get a bad ref I say good check out this thank you so much for making these ❤

[@kcsniper1243]

It amazes me how players will hit other players and act like they didn't know a camera was watching

[@MrCho14]

Seemed to me that he knew right away he was in trouble. I'm sure he got pinched or such which instigated his reaction. It was certainly a red card response, but also the Houston player made the best of it.

[@mintphysicaltherapy9148]

Honestly didn't want to agree that the POR call is a PK but that was a good argument. Definitely a PK. The pull is not good but POR go down easy so it was good to see that not called but the trip did bring him down. Should have been a PK as much as I hate to believe it.

[@thisisafox1961]

I don't know how the Waterman challenge was given as a red originally. It never looked like a red card challenge to me.

[@Scorpia260]

It was definitely a dangerous attempt. I think the only thing that saved him is that he didn't get more of the DC player. Otherwise we'd be talking about studs into the Achilles or similar. That's likely what it looked like to the ref at full speed.

[@johnmcgimpsey1825]

You also saw it from the side. In the instant of real time from the ref's position behind and partially blocked by the defender's body it probably looked more like it was studs to the achilles.

[@deemood4508]

he was not attempting to reach the ball and it was from behind with exposed studs. to me red should have stood.

[@johnmcgimpsey1825]

@@deemood4508 In slo-mo it appears to me that the contact was side foot to side foot in a sweeping motion causing a trip, rather than using the studs. While 100% reckless, IMO the FIFA Considerations for fouls leads to classifying this type of contact as warranting a caution, not a send-off, but I understand why the red was initially given.

[@deemood4508]

@@johnmcgimpsey1825 i'd rather say that he got very lucky with that yellow

[@trumanpriest144]

I appreciate the St Louis explanation. It absolutely seemed like violent conduct but I get the point of view where there's a few frames missing to see if he possibly missed with the punch. Just annoying that whole sequence of the hit and then the taunt and then the shoving and no card whatsoever, not even a yellow.

[@dominospizzaoninstagram1087]

But then he got in his face while he was on the ground and pushed him. Arango has no idea if totland actually has something going on. Chest punches really shouldn’t be taken lightly.

[@davidkendall5098]

No one is talking about the nipple clamp Chicho receives which is why he reacted with the hammer punch. STL defender knew what he was doing, inflicting maximum pain as inconspicuous as possible. That's why Chicho gave him the earful. The pinch probably doesn't fall under the definition of violent conduct but players shouldn't be able to get away with it either.

[@elicarlson7682]

@@davidkendall5098no

[@adamholtmeyer9001]

I have an issue with his explanation because you can see the strike occur right over Burki's shoulder. Seems like trying to explain it away for the star player.

[@jeremyloewen6011]

This videos are great. Didn’t know they existed

[@baxtronx5972]

Yes, the ball in Philly hit the defender in the non-hand part of his body. Ok Andrew.

[@Empyre210]

Anyone that didn't watch the houston v san jose game. WAR checked and it was NOT called a handball.

[@Cthulhu3C]

Obviously a pen for Portland, and I hate the timbers lmao

[@jacobcriss5624]

Never in a million years, the man crumbles like he’s been shot because of a loving tap on the arm. Not technically a dive but should be a yellow for embarrassing himself.

[@longlive289s]

@@jacobcriss5624Agreed, absolutly no movement back on his shoulder you'd expect from getting tugged and it looks like he mostly just gets his own feet tangled together. No pen

[@one_mega_ohm9139]

STL gets screwed every week

[@shmooveyea]

Judd is such a Judd lmao

[@harvardh]

Waterman play has to be a red. You're saying the player has to be seriously injured for that to be a red card. These plays need to be eliminated from the game.

[@radonplays7888]

so a blocked shot isn't a PK but a deflection is?

[@grantbyassee2594]

According to pro refs (the real guys are back now btw), yes.

[@MrCho14]

@@grantbyassee2594 It's not a PRO ref thing. This is just how messed up the current handling laws are.

[@grantbyassee2594]

@@MrCho14 them missing a blatant handball in the box has nothing to do with the rules

[@MrCho14]

@@grantbyassee2594 The definition of a blatant handball is what is confusing at best with the current laws. That's the point. You can't miss something if not clearly and consistently defined.

[@G_0NZ_O]

with all the money they get from overpriced tickets, overprice jerseys, landing the apple tv deal they could add more cameras

[@eledragon]

The shocking thing is they dont even have goal line technology in this day and age. Thats absolutely disgusting.

[@brandonadams7837]

​@@eledragonthe ROI for GLT is a waste of money. It's close to a million dollars per stadium and needed 3-4 times per season. You already have VAR set up which costs even more. They just need to add a few more camera angles.

[@eledragon]

@@brandonadams7837 30 million to install goal line technology is a drop in the bucket for multi billion dollar mls

[@ianbrudnakvoss3126]

Ugh reviewing the Eliot handball just makes that game feel worse. Loons probably lose it anyway or at most draw, but knowing that just one more angle was all that was likely needed absolutely stings

[@jonathanmendez5922]

Looks like it hit his chest when closely viewing both angles, but I'm not too sure since it also could've hit his upper arm as well.

[@EvanHOPPY819]

3:19 bros just running no handball

[@jakewagoner1971]

He reaches the knee up to block the pass, does, and then his arm blocks the ball moving into the 6. Quite clear that it’s a) more than him just running, and b) a handball. Yes it is unfortunate

[@eledragon]

@@jakewagoner1971 tell that to the Bundesliga refs where almost the exact same thing happened in leverkusen earlier that day and they didnt give the penalty. Its called common sense to see hes in natural motion and that Durkin didnt know anything about it. Thats no penalty all day every day.

[@jakewagoner1971]

@@eledragon I'm fine disagreeing with you on this. Leads to a slippery slope when you allow raised arms because it's a natural motion

[@eledragon]

@@jakewagoner1971 literally every league in the world that uses VAR never gives that penalty except for MLS. Theres something off about that. Not to mention in this very same video the blocked shot that bounces up into his arm isnt given a penalty??? And the one where he literally blocks the shot with his arm isnt a penalty??? How inconsistent... if you ask me its a "slippery slope" giving penalties like the durkin "handball" because attacking players will just start chipping the ball up towards defenders arms and expect to be givin a penalty everytime

[@kessel12]

The hilarity that is Chicho Arango yelling at another player for rolling around on the ground.

[@spacepants3]

Houston fan here. Me again. I think that was a handball, but it was a borderline call. I think the defender’s arm at least gets close to being in a natural position. When I was watching the game, I wanted the penalty and I thought we were going to get it, but I can understand why the ref didn’t give it. It wasn’t called on the field, and as I said earlier, I think it’s a borderline call.

[@MrCho14]

I would like to see that not being called a hand ball. I've given up on understanding what it technically should be called as I don't think anyone all the way up knows for sure.

[@spacepants3]

@@MrCho14 I’m with you on that. They have language in the laws that allows for arms to be in natural positions, but that is completely disregarded most of the time

[@MrCho14]

@@spacepants3 I'm not sure that it is ignored so much as not clearly and consistently defined.

[@logiclust]

i have to say the only league on the planet VAR has improved is the MLS, and that is only a testament of hot terrible the refs are

[@kcsniper1243]

Raposo got away with 3 fouls. First a clear Dangerous Play for High Boot, 2nd Knee to Knee Contact, 3rd pull on the shoulder.

[@MrCho14]

That dangerous play is never going to be called. I don't know how much it actually was one to start with. There was still a decent amount of space between them. The rest is a PK all day. I don't care how soft he went down. There was contact high and low which didn't allow him to control the ball.

[@probaddie456]

3:11 You're forgetting that the IFAB still directs that a *deliberate play onto one's own arm/hand* is never considered making oneself unnaturally bigger for the purpose of determing whether a handling offense has occured. Had the ball deflected from the defender's thigh and into the hand from an opponent's play, then yes, handling would be the expected decision.

[@eledragon]

The Handball against st. louis was a terrible call. Literally just earlier that day in the Bundesliga's Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim game there was an extremely similar handball that went to VAR. The ref looked at it for literally less than 10 seconds and didnt give the penalty. Do better MLS that was a really cheap call against St. louis. there is nothing durkin couldve done to avoid that. TBH i dont know who is better at this point, the scab refs or the MLS refs and thats really sad.

[@TrentSoccerGames]

What is with the missed pens?

[@willdabest26]

You did not put the red card in the Chicago Fire fc game

[@ryanstgeorge9992]

I would love to see the statistics of calls by Alan Chapman against Portland - I feel like the Timbers never get a call from him, going back for several years now. It might be slight in this case, but you grab the shoulder and bump the knees in the box - That's a pen. Timbers put themselves in a hole giving up the late goal, but they got robbed in stoppage.

[@TheMountebank1]

I think on the last one he goes down too easy to call it a penalty. Like the moment he takes contact he immediately stops trying to keep his footing.

[@hadassahknight1149]

My 6 yo daughter “called” a handball on Philadelphia when we were watching the game. 😐 👧🏻: “His arm was out like this!” (Holds arm straight out)

[@stephanh2981]

Arm being out doesn't mean it hit the arm.

[@eledragon]

@@stephanh2981 it clearly hit the arm. You can see the recoil of the arm from the ball hitting it.

[@stephanh2981]

@@eledragonand if it hit within the t-shirt silhouette in the upper arm? There is a lot of focus on the fact that the arm is out, but there is no definitive angle showing exactly where the ball hit. Until you have that angle, you can't say definitively. It's a handball.

[@eledragon]

@@stephanh2981 okay whats your explanation of the other blocked shot handball in the video not being given a penalty then?

[@ScottyStops]

Convenient editing to skip over the punch to a grounded opponent

[@BillRicker]

Decades ago, that high kick was a yellow without contact

[@MrCho14]

In the 4+ decades I've been involved in soccer playing, coaching, and refereeing, a 'high kick' like that wouldn't be a yellow. I can't speak for all local youth leagues of course.

[@Onpointsalad]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who doesn’t care for Andrew’s “opinion” on a lot of these. Just “breakdown” why the call was made…leave your booty cheeks takes out please. It’ll help these videos view count.

[@MrCho14]

The problem is that the laws are always 'in the opinion of the referee' so can get different answers on the same play even if you are a referee (which Andrew never has been.) I think he tries to emphasize this by saying 'in my opinion' a lot. It does feel like too much at times, but the alternative is that he comes across as stating fact when these are interpretation and opinion decisions.

[@gordondunkeld6237]

Clearly a pen in the Timbers game. I live in Portland but am a casual MLS fan and refereed for years, not professional, but all day long a penalty. VAR in MLS trying to be as bad as Premier League VAR...

[@longlive289s]

absolutely no movement back on his shoulder you'd expect from getting tugged and it looks like he mostly just gets his own feet tangled together. not surprising they didn't call it. could go either way

[@dakhappy]

no atlanta review?stomping red

[@zombazukahz]

most obvious red i’ve ever seen

[@williamsampson4460]

MLS gives way too many penalties on obvious dives. They need to start yellow carding players for embellishment way more, 04:14, I think the defender actually gets the first touch with his left foot and then Morgan takes a textbook swan dive with zero contact. At 04:34, yeah his foot was up with an attacker approaching but he brings the foot down in time and there is no contact and the attacker dives. It is amazing that the only borderline handball called went straight up off the knee first and the ball went to a more dangerous place after hitting his arm.

[@noahtalley4351]

San Jose, No handball! The player did get his arm down in time. STL, No handball! That rule is too harsh for so many reasons! Fix your dumb handball rules “P.R.O!”

[@jaymack8182]

0:35 The real foul is that Ben Olsen has a job coaching.

[@christopherwright206]

You obviously haven't been paying attention to the Dynamo lately.

[@jackson857]

Pay the refs!

[@eledragon]

those were the actual MLS refs lol.

[@newguyiswinning]

The portland call was right. He barely touched him and he fell, get up no PK

[@justusheers9156]

Plus the other defender is clearing the ball before he would've ever gotten to there to shoot anyway

[@MrCho14]

@@justusheers9156 That's not really relevant. By your statement, if a defender is clearly the ball it's okay for their teammate to tackle any attacker in the area.

[@justusheers9156]

@MrCho14 that's not what I'm saying, I'm just meaning it's a pretty trifling foul considering he was unable to involve himself in the play anyway.

[@MrCho14]

@@justusheers9156 My response was to @justusheers915b who was tagged in the reply.

[@spedmonkey2015]

Never a pen for Portland, it was in 90+4th minute, tensions high, he dived. Very soft, no excessive force, barely even got touched. Cry more Timber fans, Whitecaps winning the cascadia cup again

[@GnarledCypress]

Eh. The call for a penalty doesn't require excessive force... just force.

[@connor6766]

state of the game should not determine the call. A foul is a foul regardless of when it happens

[@cohoanglervancouverwa6755]

The decision in the Portland/Vancouver game should have been reviewed by VAR. The tug on the jersey was not enough to result in a foul but the kick to the lower leg was. Not sure the referee saw that. But a VAR review should have been done. That would have eliminated any doubt.

[@noahtalley4351]

There was a jersey tug, so there was a bit more than, “very soft!” I’m with Wiebe on this one!

[@longlive289s]

agreed. i dont really see much if any tug and timbers player seem to just tangle up in his own feet. no pen

[@andimykhaylyuk947]

April Fools Hahahahaha

[@mintphysicaltherapy9148]

Um...definitely not enough morce. Chichi barely taps him. Should be a yellow for embellishment for the other player. If you are rolling on the ground for that we need to get you in a padded room. Stop embarrassing yourself. Also, not sure how they don't give a PK when they review this and the St Louis player is clearly tugging on Chicho. Just pathetic.