LAST NIGHT AT the Red Bull Arena, the United Soccer League became the first North American Soccer League to use Fifa’s Video Assistant Referee.
The IFAB (International Football Association Board) approved the use of VAR for this game between two MLS reserve teams.
The VAR enables the match referee to watch a replay before making a decision. Referee, Ismail Elfath, used the VAR twice in the contest between New York Red Bulls II and Orlando City B, who had Ramelton native Kyle Callan-McFadden in their defence.
On 35 minutes, Elfath reviewed a the video Junior Bennings was brought down by Orlando defender Conor Donovan just outside the penalty area. Donovan was shown a straight red card.
Elfath used the VAR to change a red card to a yellow card for a foul committed by Callan-McFadden in the 82nd minute.
[adrotate group=”68″]However, the former Norwich City player was only granted a brief reprieve as he was given a second yellow card a minute from time as his nine-man Orlando B side were eventually beaten 5-1.
Orlando have 31 points from its first 22 games placing the club eighth in the USL’s Eastern Conference.
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