It would've been the first MLS goal for Real Salt Lake forward Douglas Martinez and an equalizer for RSL, but the new hand ball law came into play in Week 2 after a great spot by the officiating crew at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The new law, among other changes implemented by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), went into effect in MLS this season. Here's how it works: if the ball makes contact with an attacking player's hand or arm in any instance — irrespective of position or intent — and it leads directly to a goal, that goal won't count. And that's what happened in the Week 2 MLS match between Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls. Watch it below:
Credit to Video Assistant Referee Younes Marrakchi and head referee Rosendo Mendoza who collaborated to make the call.
"Attackers – who make contact with the ball and immediately score a goal or create immediate goal-scoring opportunities – are penalized," Howard Webb, general manager of the Professional Referee Organization, told MLSsoccer.com before the season started.
Real Salt Lake would still equalize in the final stages of the match: Damir Kreilach scored in stoppage time to help RSL salvage a draw in their 2020 home opener.
