We better start getting used to these, MLS fans.
During the match between Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers this Saturday, a refereeing decision helped by the VAR, announced to the entire stadium, has just reminded fans to wait until the end to react to referee’s announcements. The "however" decision happened again.
Watch: MLS referee "however" VAR announcement in Real Salt Lake-Portland
In the 25th minute, Real Salt Lake were to double their lead through a Diego Luna strike inside the box that was quickly overturned for an offside position of two players.
After a VAR review, central referee, Tori Penso, announced that the Real Salt Lake players were, in fact, offside, with fans in Rio Tinto Stadium disapproving the decision with unanimous boos across the stands.
Though, Penso was not finished and continued her announcement by saying that even though the players were offside, they did not affect the play’s build up, validating their goal and giving Real Salt Lake their second goal of the match. "However" strikes again.
oh my god we got another HOWEVER! var explanation, this is electric this needs to become a regular thing pic.twitter.com/cTbEjbSAlD
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) September 22, 2024
From a wave of boos to a unanimous uproar of cheer.
Penso’s “however” reminded fans of referee, Filip Dujic’s, incredible announcement clip during an MLS game between St. Louis CITY and Atlanta United that went viral on social media in June, with fans debating which announcement was the best out of the two.
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Since the start the current 2024 season, Major League Soccer incorporated the use of in-stadium Video Review announcements. These announcements were designed to provide and explain information regarding refereeing decisions, helping clear up any confusion between the calls and fans present at the stadium or watching at home.
Though, as you might’ve already seen from both moments, fans should probably wait until the referee is done announcing the call before reacting.
