The Professional Referee Organization (PRO), whose officials work games in Major League Soccer, ruled that the overturned goal this past Saturday in the Crew SC game against D.C. United was not only incorrect, but also should not have been reviewed.

In a statement released Wednesday, PRO said that after looking at the play that overturned Crew midfielder Pedro Santos’ goal in the 22nd minute against D.C. United, head referee Ted Unkel should not have called a foul on Wil Trapp and the goal should have counted.

“(H)aving reviewed the incident footage, the referee, who has the final decision, should have determined that no foul had been committed in the attacking phase of play and that the original call, and therefore the goal by Santos, should have stood,” the statement read.

The Santos goal started with a turnover at midfield when D.C. midfielder Luciano Acosta ran into Unkel as Crew midfielder Wil Trapp was converging on the play. Unkel was speaking to the video assistant referee (VAR) Kevin Terry, Jr. who recommended the play for review.

After looking at the replay himself, Unkel said a foul on Wil Trapp was missed during the play, which started the offensive sequence that led to the goal. Unkel overturned the goal and awarded a free kick to D.C. United.

Looking closely at the play, Trapp did make a small bit of contact with Acosta, but the contact that forced Acosta to lose the ball was his running into Unkel.

PRO ruled that there were two errors with the call. The organization determined that there wasn’t enough evidence in the play that could constitute a video review. Then, after that error was made and Unkel went to look at the review, that’s when the second error was made in overturning the goal.

"The incident should not have been recommended for review by the VAR as the decision to play on was not a clear and obvious error," the statement read, "which is the threshold for VAR intervention."

PRO did not specifically address whether or not there was a formal punishment for Unkel for the wrong call, but it said at the end of it's statement that "PRO holds its officials accountable and takes appropriate action in regards to future assignments."

jmyers@dispatch.com

@Jacob_Myers_25