Following a frustrating 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami, NYCFC’s head coach and players expressed confusion over a late no-call that might have shifted the game’s outcome.
In the 76th minute, while trailing, Maxi Morales sent a pass to Agustín Ojeda, creating a potential scoring opportunity. However, Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Dane St. Clair, aggressively knocked the ball away, perhaps outside the penalty area.
If the referee had ruled differently, St. Clair would have received a red card, forcing Inter Miami to finish the game with just ten players.
Match officials later stated that video review did not show “conclusive evidence” that Miami’s No. 97 had touched the ball outside the box, leaving some questions after the match.
NYCFC captain, Thiago Martins, voiced his frustration with the decision, emphasizing how it reflects poorly on the league. “It looks bad for the league. It’s as simple as that,” he remarked. “So many people are watching this game, it’s a big game, so when something like this happens you’re like, ‘What can we do?'”
Teammate Kevin O’Toole took a slightly more measured approach, saying, “I looked at the pictures in the locker room afterward and it looked pretty clear.” He suggested the decision warranted a review: “I think they should have looked at it again. That’s all I can say about that.”
NYCFC had experienced a similar situation earlier in the season when Orlando City’s Maxime Crepeau was red-carded for handling the ball outside the box. Head coach Pascal Jansen humorously speculated that perhaps Canadian goalkeepers had a different understanding of the box size. He noted, “I looked up at the big screen for a second. It was close, but I don’t know what the TV said. Apparently VAR said it was inside. You have to deal with it. That’s the reality.”
