The Houston Dynamo’s Tomás Martínez earned a red card Wednesday night after stepping on an opponent’s foot in the penalty box in the 59th minute.
Martínez ran toward the near post of Philly’s goal, trying to get his left foot on a crossed ball and came down on the foot of Philadelphia player Auston Trusty, who also stuck his leg out for the ball.
After video review, referee Joseph Dickerson pulled the red card out of his pocket. (Read his postgame explanation here).
There was confusion about what play was being reviewed and then protests from Dynamo players, coaches and fans when the red card was given to Martínez. The broadcast crew calling the game also questioned the decision, calling his tackle worthy of a foul or a harsh yellow card. Others on social media called the decision harsh, but understandable as the tackle could have injured his opponent.
Watch a replay of the red card in the video above.
The game was tied 1-1 at the time of the call, but 12 minutes later Philadelphia scored to take a 2-1 lead and went on to win the game 3-1. After the match, Pro Soccer USA writer Jesus Acevedo Jr., submitted three questions to the official per MLS pool reporter protocol. Read the referee’s answers about his game-time decisions here.
59' After video review, a red card has been issued to Tomás Martínez for serious foul play.
We'll continue with 10 men. #HOUvPHI pic.twitter.com/gDGWN5Wk6O
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) July 26, 2018
PRO might need to start a form apology letter at this point. Martinez red card after VAR in Houston perhaps not quite as terrible as Orlando PK at the weekend, but it’s still really poor and it could very well cost Dynamo points. #MLS
— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) July 26, 2018
RED CARD TO HOUSTON??? #HOUvPHI | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/IwiMdW8fkA
— Tim Lovenguth (@Tim_Lovenguth) July 26, 2018
RED CARD. Martinez is OFF for Houston. VAR comes up huge for Philly.
— Philly Soccer Page (@phillysoccerpg) July 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/mjdempsey/status/1022307761722404865
Interesting red card on Houston. Didn’t look like more than a foul in real time but that’s an ankle breaker type of tackle.
— Rob Moyer (@rjmoyer2) July 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/JogaBonito_USA/status/1022308272685174784