If you were watching the match between Orlando City B and the NYRB II on August 12th, then you were in for a historic moment. The United Soccer League (USL) became the first North American Soccer League to use FIFA’s VAR. The Video Assistant Referee helped the head referee make a critical call in an important moment of the match.
The IFAB (International Football Association Board) approved the use of VAR for this game between two MLS reserve teams. Head ref, Ismail Elfath, used the VAR twice in the match and once in each half. Elfath worked with the VAR to communicate and take another look at the plays in question on a screen behind the goal.