The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Video ref's mixed reviews
Even Atlanta United critical after benefiting in rout of New England.
VAR played a huge role in determining the outcome of Atlanta United’s 7-0 win against New England on Wednesday, and not even the team that benefited was happy afterward.
Video Assistant Referee, which started in August after more than a year of testing, assisted Baldomero Toledo in issuing red cards to Revolution players Xavier Kouassi in the 16th minute for a serious foul against Yamil Asad and Antonio Milnar Delamea in the 38th minute for a handball in the penalty box. Reduced to
nine men, New England became the first team in league history to fail to take a shot in a game, and its margin of defeat matched the largest in league history.
“I think the game changed completely,” said Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who later added he wasn’t a fan of VAR. “Honestly, it was a bizarre 45 (minutes), but that’s kind of the world we’re in right now.”
It was difficult to see Kouassi’s foul in real-time. It appeared that Toledo blew the whistle after
Heaps said. “I don’t think that you are not going to see more like this. I felt like tonight they overstepped Kouassi knocked down Asad what they think they should 40 yards from Atlanta Unit- be doing. I think the pen- ed’s goal and was ready to alty-kick calls are great. I restart play. Toledo then put think the first red card was his hand to his ear and after a reach to VAR something as a few seconds made the rect- opposed to (the) referee saw angular motion with his finsomething, let it go. It is what gers that meant he was going it is. We’re in a new age — a to check the video replay new era. It’s not pleasant.” system, which has stations Atlanta United manager on either end of the field at Gerardo Martino said he’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. OK with the Video Assistant
On replay, Kouassi was Referee system used by MLS seen stomping on Asad’s to aid the officials on the ankles twice: Once on the field, but described it as “a original attempted tackle little boring.” and then again as Asad was “Sometimes it’s in your falling down. favor, sometimes it’s against
A few seconds later Toledo you,” Martino said. “In the came back onto the field and case of the second red card gave Kouassi a straight red. and the penalty, it was pretty
“I don’t think anyone has clear so you didn’t need seen anything like it because replay. In general it’s bor- VAR just came into play,” ing …
New England manager Jay “I’m not saying I’m against it. I think it’s useful in certain decisive plays. But to stop for a foul in the middle of the field is different. I’d prefer they focus on decisive plays, even though that foul in the middle of the field led to a red card.”
Larentowicz said whether you agree with VAR it’s moot and that “it’s going to come around to get you.”
Martino indirectly referenced that in his postgame comments, referring to the use of VAR in Sunday’s 3-0 win against Dallas. In that game, a penalty kick awarded to Atlanta United was taken away after VAR deemed that Josef Martinez started an attacking play offsides. The play ended with him being tackled by Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez in the penalty box, resulting in the soonerased penalty.
“That’s enough about that,” Martino said.