In the 41st minute of the game against the Columbus Crew, with the score tied 1-1, D.C. United midfielder Kyle Porter tallied the go-ahead goal that was soon overturned due to teammate Lionard Pajoy’s passive offside position. MLSsoccer.com’s Nick Firchau examined the call and explains why Porter’s strike should have stood:
- Pajoy – in a passive offside position – runs toward the ball, but does NOT interfere with the play because he did not touch or actually play with the ball.
- Pajoy did NOT prevent any opponent from getting to the ball, nor did he obstruct a sight line.
- Pajoy did NOT make a gesture that deceived or distracted an opponent; simply moving toward the ball is not enough to do so.
- The Assistant Referee waving the flag to signal an offside does not stop the play; the Referee must blow his whistle, but Allen Chapman allowed play to continue (i.e. As the saying goes, play to the whistle).
