Chester, PA
Philadelphia Union o
New York Red Bulls 1
The Quizzo question of the week is how far back into the game VAR may be used to review a play. The answer is that it can be used to review play back to the last prior stoppage of play, as far back as that may be. The rule is sensible for a low-scoring game that allows playing to the non-fouling team’s advantage in lieu of stopping play for a free kick. And, for certain plays, a referee wants to know the natural outcome of play before blowing the whistle.
That said, the confusion was widespread when the Union’s Fafa Picault was shown yellow in the 66th minute close to the Red Bulls’ box, and Referee Ted Unkel marched the length of the field and motioned the VAR box. Many thought that the yellow card was under review. Imagine the surprise when Unkel pointed to the spot and New York’s Alejandro Romero Gamarra proceeded to score the lone goal in the game by penalty shot.
Divorced from the passage of time, the penalty call was harsh. The Union Captain Alejandro Bedoya had raised his hand to brace himself from an oncoming collision with Philadelphia’s Cory Burke that afterward leveled them both. The hand that protected Bedoya decided the game with a hand ball call.
It was unfortunate that the call decided an otherwise well-played, chippy game on both sides. The Union controlled many aspects of the game, particularly in the first half, including total time of possession (66%), duels won (62 to 53), corners (5 to 1), shots (14 to 8) and shots on goal (6 to 3). The Union’s passing accuracy dipped to a respectable 77%, most likely caused by the Red Bulls’ formidable defense. Credit that defense, however, with preventing openings that had in recent games allowed the Union open shots. Otherwise, the score might well have been different.
Philadelphia’s Ray Gaddis shields New York’s Bradley Wright-Phillips from goalkeeper Andre Blake.
New York’s Michael Murillo eyes potential pass recipients with Philadelphia’s Boris Dockal following.
Wright-Philllips giving his directions on a play.
The Union’s Haris Medunjanin protesting a kick to Bedoya’s head in a scrum, just before the half.
The Union’s Keegan Rosenberry has been putting in consistently strong performances of late.
Burke has grown tremendously in game maturity as he moves around the New York defenders.
Picault received a yellow card for this play that ended in a march to the opposing penalty spot.
The call stymied even newly-minted hall of fame award winner J.P. Dellacamera and Tommy Smythe
Midfield craftsman Dockal seeing exactly how the pay is developing.
