COLUMBUS, Ohio — Orlando City was leading the Columbus Crew 2-1 when match referee Silviu Petrescu blew his whistle and signaled for a penalty kick in the 86th minute.
Forward Patrick Mullins went down in the penalty area trying to head the ball and Petrescu determined right back RJ Allen initiated enough contact to award the penalty.
Orlando City’s players immediately protested – the contact in the penalty area appeared minimal – but to no avail.
Petrescu made the motion for video review twice – once before booking left back Mohamed El-Munir for dissent, then again afterward — but he ultimately chose not to use the monitor on the side of the field to watch the play again.