Revolution Talk: MLS Coaches Are “Very Confused” Regarding VAR Rules

The New England Revolution fell just short on Saturday night against the Columbus Crew SC with the Revs losing to Columbus 1-0.

With Columbus being the No.2 team in the Eastern Conference the Revs had to make adjustments to their system, as for the implementation Head Coach Brad Friedel had some thoughts:” I thought the first half defensively, the system paid dividends. With the ball, we weren’t as good as we wanted to be. Made the change at half-time, brought Wilfried in, put him a little bit higher up the field. We wanted to control the game with the ball, which I thought we did in the second half.”

Columbus had a real knack for hitting long passes against New England and Friedel was first to note that the Crew was hitting long passes at an unfathomable rate.

I don’t think you will ever see a Columbus team hit as many long balls in a game. I mean, Zack Stephen very rarely tried to pass out of the back.

Friedel went on later to say: ”

As for the reason why the Revs lost Friedel said: “we lost on a set piece and a penalty decision that didn’t go our way”.

And speaking of that penalty decision the discussion of VAR in MLS comes back into play.

Video Review Still A Confusing Process For Friedel And Fellow MLS Coaches

When Friedel was asked if it was the correct call the New England coach said it was indeed a penalty but had a rather long segway into the confusion of the MLS VAR rules and what is and isn’t reviewable.

“Yeah I watched it, it is a penalty.” And if the referees said anything Friedel said “They say the same thing every game, that they are reviewing it. I think if you ask all the coaches around the league. Every single one of us is for video review, unequivically.” 

But there seems to be mass confusion regarding the review process amongst MLS coaches.

But, we are all right now very confused on what gets reviewed and what does not get reviewed. And we don’t know if they are actually reviewing it or not when they say it, maybe they are saying it so we just walk away.

As for that particular play, Friedel said:” I think most people that would watch that, would see it was a penalty. I don’t know why Brian Wright would fall down in that situation if it wasn’t. So, it is frustrating when things like that happen. And I am sure we will get through all the kinks in the video review. Because I am saying, we are all for video review. But every coach that I have spoken too now that we played, we are all pretty confused on what gets reviewed and what doesn’t get reviewed, why it gets reviewed, and why it doesn’t get reviewed.”

If you are now wondering what VAR is, in MLS it is actually just a fifth member of the officiating crew called the Video Assistant Referee. The following information is direct from MLS.

 The VAR’s job is to check for a potential clear error or a serious missed incident in four (4) match-changing situations: (1) goals, (2) penalty kicks, (3) straight red cards and (4) cases of mistaken identity. These are the only reviewable plays in a match.

Upon a recommendation to the referee by the VAR for a Video Review of a potential clear error, it’s the head referee’s decision whether to perform a Video Review by making the Video Review signal (TV box motion) at the first natural stoppage or when the ball is in a neutral zone. A neutral zone is an area of the field where neither team has an attacking advantage.

The final decision for video review is with the head referee with the VAR only able to suggest a review. Any play that falls into the four-match changing situations is allegedly being checked by the VAR who then decides whether or not to recommend a video review.

As for a coach like Friedel being able to ask for a review, MLS actually doesn’t think it is necessary which is rather odd.

Because every key match-changing incident is being checked, there is no need for players and staff to request a review. The head referee and ONLY the head referee can initiate a Video Review. Players or team staff cannot influence the referee during a Video Review and any players that mimic the Video Review signal (TV box motion) will be cautioned.

VAR and video review was launched by MLS back in 2017 and it is clearly still a work in progress. Despite it not being the reason the Revolution lost on Saturday it is still rather startling that even MLS coaches are confused by the current rules.

And based on the information available it is hard to blame them. MLS is going to have to either clarify the rules to its coaches and players or change them in a way that makes more sense. Video review is certainly a necessary aspect of modern day sports but ultimately it appears that the way it is currently situated in MLS is not conducive to long-term success until the confusion is cleared up.

What are your thought’s on VAR in MLS? Is it too confusing?

Is VAR in @MLS confusing? #NERevs #MLS #VAR

— Tanner Rebelo (@TannerRebelo) May 20, 2018