Seen a lot of speculation about this penalty call from back in March. If I recall, #InstantReplay thought it should have been reviewed and overturned because it came off the defender's knee first.
It's actually the correct call. #Crew96
https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-03-07-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-columbus-crew-sc/details/video/223808
It's actually the correct call. #Crew96

This is the point of contact with the hand/arm. Note that the arm is extended away from the body and arguably in a position that makes the defender unnaturally bigger by creating a barrier for the ball. #Crew96

But of course, it touched the defender's knee first. Does that change anything? Normally that is an indication that there is no foul, but not necessarily. The Law specifies an exception for certain offenses, such as when the arm makes the body unnaturally bigger. #Crew96

But what about that #Rapids96 penalty from last month that was overturned? In that case, there was a clear, deliberate play by the defender that resulted in the ball radically changing trajectory, striking an arm that was otherwise out of the way. #Crew96
https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-11-04-portland-timbers-vs-colorado-rapids/details/video/247936

Compare to the penalty from March. Afful's arm is always going to be in the path of the ball. The ball didn't touch his arm because it deflected wildly off his knee but because his arm was unfairly in the way. #Crew96

I even would argue that Afful's actions were deliberate, and he moved his arm to the ball, which again is an offense that is not nullified by the fact that he touched it with his knee first. #Crew96

Room initially saved the penalty, of course, but even Orlando fans wouldn't try to argue that he was on his line when the ball was kicked. This is a crystal clear encroachment offense, and since the goal was not scored, the kick must be retaken. #Crew96

All that said, referee Jair Marrufo did make a significant error in this sequence. He neglected to caution Room for the encroachment offense as required by Law 14. Oopsie woopsie. #Crew96
