Revolution Draw San Jose After Late Goal Ruled Offside
“I have no idea how they don't [go to] VAR."
The New England Revolution collected their sixth shutout of the season on Saturday when they played the San Jose Earthquakes to a scoreless draw.
Saturday’s affair was cagey as both sides only mustered one shot on target.
The Earthquakes made nine changes to their starting lineup after hosting Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on Wednesday.
The Revs, who have used the same lineup for five straight games, made a change in the 32nd minute when Leo Campana left with an injury for the second time this season.
“I think he has a hamstring [injury],” head coach Caleb Porter said. “I don't know the severity of it, we'll get it scanned. It's a weird one. You don't normally see guys come off early twice. Usually it's late or in a compacted window, so we'll have to evaluate it with the medical staff and figure out what we can do better to make sure he doesn't get hurt.”
With Maxi Urruti and Tomas Chancalay only available for limited minutes, Porter inserted Luis Diaz. Typically a winger, Diaz used his pace to stretch the Earthquakes’ backline.
The game began to pick up in the 67th, starting with Carles Gil firing the Revs’ only shot on target into the chest of substitute Earl Edwards Jr. Moments later, San Jose’s Paul Marie hit a long-range shot that rattled the crossbar.
The Revs responded when Gil sent Ignatius Ganago in on goal. The Cameroonian found the back of the net, but it was called back due to offside.
“I think the frustration is, for sure, we found a goal,” Porter said.
He later added, “I have no idea how they don't [go to] VAR. The camera angles we have, it's not me saying, 'Maybe.’ It's definitely on, 100 percent, on the camera angles we have. They did say that they don't have the same angles that we have maybe, but that's ridiculous.”
When asked by the pool reporter if video review was considered, the referee responded, “The offside decision was checked by the VAR, and from the angles available, it could not be determined that there was a clear and obvious error.”
Looking to break the deadlock, Mark-Anthony Kaye forced a big save from Aljaz in the 77th minute. Maxi Urruti and Brandon Bye then had opportunities that went wide of the frame.
The Revs are now unbeaten in six straight, having collected 14 of 18 points. The team has also allowed only ten goals in 12 games, the lowest mark in the league.
“I don't want to make the game about [the referee],” Porter said. “I thought it was a hardfought match. Two good teams going toe-to-toe. Again, they're a very good attacking team, we're a very good defensive team, and I thought our guys had a great mentality, gave all they had.”
Unfortunately, in the clip above, the sideline ref is in perfect position to make the offside call. Everything about his posture, his focus is impeccable. I don't care about VAR - good refs are a necessary part of the game.
Earthquakes were one of the worst teams in the MLS a year or two ago - Arena deserves a lot of credit for this draw. Revs have to score more to be relevant.
A) don't know how it didn't go to VAR, and b) don't know how they did the check so gd fast