In a season where Bay FC has consistently been on the losing side of VAR calls, the team once again fell victim to a rather dubious VAR review after scoring a goal to fall1-0 to Gotham FC at PayPal Park.
After giving up a goal to Gotham FC’s Midge Purce in the second minute, it looked like Bay FC found an equalizer five minutes later when Bay forward Cristiana Girelli headed a ball across the penalty box that Kennedy Fuller was able to poke through the Gotham defense and into the net.
But the game was delayed as a VAR review took place. Soon, referee Servando Berna Rico was called over to the VAR monitor and then ruled Karli Lema offside much earlier in the buildup that eventually led to Fuller’s goal.
“I’m really confused about the decision for our disallowed goal,” said Bay FC head coach Emma Coates after the game. I’ve watched it back a couple of times. I’ve many questions.”
It was the third time this year in a home game for Bay FC that they were victims of a questionable VAR call that went against them.
On May 15th against Boston, Bay were up 1-0 when VAR ruled that Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz had taken down Legacy forward Aïssata Traoré. Boston equalized on the ensuing penalty kick, and Bay ultimately lost three points in that match.
A post-game refereeing critique video explained that the VAR review should never have happened because there was no clear and obvious mistake made by the referee on the field.
Then, two weeks later on May 24, Bay FC was once again affected by a referee’s decision when, after Taylor Huff scored an equalizer against the Chicago Stars, VAR officials contacted Yaya to check the monitor. Upon review, the referee judged that Bay FC forward Cristiana Girelli was slightly offside on the buildup to the goal. Bay FC eventually lost the game 1-0 instead of tying and earning a point.
Once again, the post-game refereeing critique video pointed out that Girelli’s offside had no effect on the eventual goal and should not have been called for a review by VAR officials.
Coming into the game against Gotham, the four points Bay FC lost because of those decisions moved them down to 14th in the NWSL standings, where they would instead be tied for 8th place.
After Bay FC’s goal was disallowed, the team continued to play a spirited defense against Gotham. The last time the New York team played at PayPal Park was the NWSL final last year, when they won 1-0 over the Washington Spirit on a goal by Rose Lavelle.
Gotham’s attack this season is probably even more fearsome, especially with the recent addition of Australian international Sam Kerr to the team. However, Bay FC and Jordan Silkowitz were able to snuff out every other Gotham attack. On the night, Silkowitz ended up with nine saves.
“She’s having a great season, and I thought she made two or three outstanding saves again tonight,” Coates said of Silkowitz’s performance. “And I can’t sing her praises high enough of how good of a season that she’s having for us. She keeps us in games.”
And once again, Bay FC were left wondering what might have happened if the VAR officials had not overturned the goal.
