The 2017 USL season starts this weekend as S2 hosts Sacramento Republic on Sunday (2 p.m. PT) at Starfire Sports Complex, and on Friday the USL announced multiple rule changes.
The most significant of those changes is that USL and MLS will partner with the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) to conduct live, in-game Video Assistant Referee (VAR) testing for 25 regular-season matches beginning Saturday for the match between the Richmond Kickers and the Harrisburg City Islanders.
S2 will host a VAR match on April 25th at Starfire against San Antonio FC while S2’s match at Real Monarchs SLC on July 8th will also employ VAR.
“We are pleased to increase our role in the VAR system for the 2017 season,” USL President Jake Edwards told uslsoccer.com. “The implementation of new technology to further enhance officiating accuracy is important toward the continued evolution of the sport, and the USL is honored to play a big part in this effort. This season’s VAR process has been planned out accordingly to include nearly every USL team, and we look forward to once again working with MLS, PRO and The International Football Association Board to enhance the VAR system.”
