MLS

VAR Dominates Headlines In MLS As New York Red Bulls, D.C. United Benefit

VAR Dominates Headlines In MLS As New York Red Bulls, D.C. United Benefit

Video reviews had major impacts on several games this weekend in MLS, most notably between D.C. United and the Columbus Crew.

May 6, 2019
VAR Dominates Headlines In MLS As New York Red Bulls, D.C. United Benefit

Video reviews dominated the weekend in MLS, another week in which all 24 teams in the league were in action. The biggest controversy was in Washington, D.C., where referee Ted Unkel overturned a Columbus Crew goal that appeared to be good. However, there were decisions that could have gone either way at Red Bull Arena and BBVA Compass Stadium as well, leading to wins for the home team in both cases.

Here's the FloFC recap of all the action from MLS this weekend: 

Colorado Rapids 2 - 3 Vancouver Whitecaps

It was the first game in charge for Conor Casey, who took over in Commerce City last week after the Rapids let Anthony Hudson go. The 'Pids, who were without a win for the first nine games of the season, started off horribly against the Whitecaps, falling behind by two goals early on.

But Kei Kamara scored twice from the penalty spot, giving the hosts a chance to win their first game of the season. But then Diego Rubio got sent off late, and after one winner was called back for offside, the Caps gave Casey a loss in his debut, with Andy Rose scoring in the 87th minute. This shot of the Colorado bench after the goal tells the whole story.



New York Red Bulls 3 - 2 LA Galaxy

Both teams led in a game that was influenced by video reviews. First, Daniel Royer had a goal called back for offside. Then Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal stood despite a close call about whether Chris Pontius was onside or not. And then Derrick Etienne Jr.'s winner was scrutinized as Brian White was in an offside position right in front of David Bingham as the shot was taken. 

Must've been a mixed bag of emotions for this group of guys:



Houston Dynamo 2 - 1 FC Dallas

The spoils of the first Texas Derby go to Houston, who got two goals from Mauro Manotas, taking the Dynamo to 19 points from their first eight games of the season. Dom Badji got one back late for Dallas, who then had the ball in the back of the net late in stoppage time, only for the goal to be negated by slight contact in the box by Reto Ziegler. It was a tough call, and ultimately made the difference between the two Texas sides. 

Orlando City 0 - 2 Toronto FC

TFC are dependent on getting Jozy Altidore back healthy, but on Saturday they proved they can win without the USMNT striker. Jonathan Osorio channeled his 2018 self in scoring a wonderful opener, and then Jay Chapman secured the points in Florida for the Reds. And the rumor is that TFC might get the services of Omar Gonzalez just before the primary transfer window closes tomorrow, which will help shore up a shaky back line for TFC.

Montreal Impact 0 - 2 New York City FC

Montreal had been playing so well in recent weeks, finding themselves in a three-way tie atop the Eastern Conference headed into the weekend. A couple of weeks after getting a credible draw at Yankee Stadium, NYC got their revenge on Saturday, taking all three points back across the border. Maxi Moralez and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi provided the goals, increasing the Pigeons' unbeaten streak to six games.

The Impact have done well in the absence of Ignacio Piatti, but they could really use their superstar back. Nacho is one of the best in the league when available, but has not played since March, a testament to the job Remi Garde has done in Montreal. 

Philadelphia Union 6 - 1 New England Revolution

Now that Anthony Hudson is out of a job, the coach whose seat should be the hottest in the league is Brad Friedel. His Revolution side currently sit dead last in the Eastern Conference, with the same record — but worse goal differential — than the expansion side, FC Cincinnati. This game was tied 1-1 at the break before a complete capitulation in the second half by New England. Five goals conceded in 45 minutes, while playing with 11 men, and sans video review controversy. 

Of course, will anyone in Philadelphia talk about their first place team? 


D.C. United 3 - 1 Columbus Crew

The story here is obviously.... OK, everyone knows what we're talking about here. It's the call that Ted Unkel made in the first half that completely changed the course of the game. Unkel got in the way of Luciano Acosta, who also took a slight nudge in the foot from Wil Trapp. Columbus quickly went the other way and scored a goal. But then Unkel went to the monitor, and called the goal off, claiming a foul on Trapp. 

Here's another look at the play:



It may not be visible on first viewing, but Trapp does get a foot in on Acosta. The problem though — it's not really a clear and obvious miss, and even though there was contact, there wasn't much a foul. And yet, Unkel took the goal away, and after the game Caleb Porter said that Unkel went to the monitor to bail himself out. 

It will be interesting to see what the consequences of this moment might be in the next couple of weeks. 

Minnesota United 1 - 1 Seattle Sounders

The Ozzie Alonso game pitted Minnesota's new midfielder against the only club he had ever known in MLS before. Minnesota will have been disappointed to suffer another draw at Allianz Field, their third in four games at the brand new stadium. But there was not much to say after Cristian Roldan's equalizer, a laser from outside the box. 



Real Salt Lake 1 - 2 Portland Timbers

Time to break up the Timbers. On the road for the first 12 games of the season, Portland went winless in their first six games, losing five of them. Now they've reeled off three wins in a row, with RSL being the latest victim. Steve Clark saved Albert Rusnak's first-half penalty, and then goals from Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri canceled out Sam Johnson's goal for the hosts. 

Just three more games before Portland returns to Providence Park and it sounds like they'll get some reinforcements this week with a standout player from Liga MX.

San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 0 FC Cincinnati 

Nick Lima gave the Quakes the win, vaulting Matias Almeyda's side above the red line in the Western Conference. Not bad for a San Jose team that a month ago seemed incapable of keeping anyone from scoring. But Daniel Vega made a ridiculous save to keep the visitors off the board, running Cincy's scoreless streak to a full five games. 

Afterward, Fanendo Adi had a couple of thoughts, saying that Cincinnati need to find their identity. 

And maybe a couple of goals, too. 

Los Angeles FC 0 - 0 Chicago Fire

If you haven't seen the ESPN's "We Are LAFC" documentary, you should check it out. There are a couple of interesting moments in there, especially from the team's first season in MLS last year. One of the more notable moments was when Bob Bradley lost his cool late last season after a 3-1 defeat to the Chicago Fire. Bradley challenged a couple of players about what had gone wrong in the loss and showed his frustration in kicking a water bottle that hit striker Adama Diomande in the face. 

With a chance to make up for last year's loss, LAFC instead dropped points at home to the Fire. Although, somehow, some way, LAFC couldn't score here.



Sporting Kansas City 0 - 3 Atlanta United

Peter Vermes might have to suit up for SKC soon, who have an injury list long enough to give any manager cold sweats during the night. Here's a list of all of the players currently out injured and when they might be expected back. That said, Vermes fielded a decent team last night, despite having only 16 players available. But it wasn't enough, as Atlanta got two goals from Josef Martinez and one from Ezequiel Barco to grab all three points on the road. Tim Melia had a hand in helping Martinez score the opener, but Atlanta were on top for most of the game, and the result seemed inevitable, given who is missing for Kansas City.