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Strange VAR ruling worse than no-call for Orlando City SC

• VAR developed with international board
• MLS third top-flight league to use it
• More detailed announcements needed

By Chuck Wharton

May 25, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Luis Muriel (9) attempts to pass the ball past Columbus Crew midfielder Alexandru Matan (20) during the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Luis Muriel (9) attempts to pass the ball past Columbus Crew midfielder Alexandru Matan (20) during the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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MLS chooses to use VAR to confirm their referees are right. It keeps the rulings going the right way.

But can there possibly be two right ways? That’s how it almost looked during the match Orlando City SC played against Columbus Crew earlier this season.

A qualified official runs each Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. This official watches on screens that show every available angle, standing ready to act as a safety net in referee decisions.

The VAR communicates with the refer when a play may merit review but is only used in actions resulting in goals, direct red-card incidents, mistaken identity, and penalties. It’s the latter that triggered the Orlando-Columbus incident.

That happened in the 42nd minute. Orlando striker Luis Muriel drew a penalty from Crew defender Steven Moreira. But out comes a ruling from the VAR.

That ruling said that instead Orlando midfielder Aiden Morris got the penalty and the ball was moved to the other side of the pitch.

Columbus forward Diego Rossi placed the penalty kick in the net and the first half ended 1-0. The final was Crew 2-0.

While the VAR decision was announced in the stadium, the development remains frustrating and confusing to Orlando City supporters. They heard and understood little more than the penalty was changed from Orlando’s favor to the Crew’s.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved how MLS planned to treat VAR decisions by announcing them beginning this season. They were to be announced to attendees by the center referee and on broadcasts for those audiences.

The IFAB and MLS collaborated over the past several years to establish the protocol for the VAR system.

USL first used it in 2016 when New York Red Bulls II played Orlando City B. Then MLS launched it on August 5, 2017. It was the third top-flight league to make video technology available to referees in live competition.

Still, VAR left Orlando City SC players and supporters feeling worse than had there been a no-call on a penalty in the Columbus Crew game. And reviewing highlights, indeed there was.

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