Union benefit from first use of VAR in MLS

All hail our VAR overlords.

In the late stages of the Philadelphia Union’s game against FC Dallas, the Union were sitting on a shutout when it looked like disaster struck. John McCarthy came out to stop the shot, but it squirted free to Victor Ulloa, who put it in past McCarthy.

But after some discussion, referee Ricardo Salazar made a motion indicating the play was going to be reviewed. VAR official Hilario Grajeda would have been the one to make the recommendation to Salazar to take a look at the play.

After around a minute, Salazar indicated that the goal would not be allowed to stand, as Cristian Colman had kicked John McCarthy while McCarthy was down. Indeed, it looked like Colman kicked McCarthy right in the groin when he went in to poke the ball free from McCarthy’s arms.

This was the first goal overturned in Major League Soccer by the new VAR technology. The system worked perfectly, and justice was done for the Philadelphia Union. After the match, the Union’s CJ Sapong said “It was interesting to be a part of that. ... That's something that we want in this game.” He went on to say “It's nothing that interrupted the flow of the game too much. It's good that they got it right.” Union manager Jim Curtin also said “It's nothing that interrupted the flow of the game too much. It's good that they got it right.” John McCarthy, however had the quote of the night regarding VAR: