NWSL

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that if a game is tied after extra time in playoffs, it's automatically decided by sudden death penalty kicks, but actually, teams can continue alternating penalty kicks until one team scores more goals than the other. The confusion arises because they overlook the possibility of a final score being reached through goal-scoring rather than just relying on shootout outcomes.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that substitutes can enter from anywhere they want as long as they get in quickly, leading to arguments about where substitutions are allowed. However, the actual rule specifies that substitutes must enter at the halfway line and exit across the nearest sideline within a short window, which can lead to disputes over whether players are entering or exiting correctly.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that when a referee uses the "X" gesture with their arms above their head and steps back four meters, it means they're sending off an entire team rather than just one player for serious misconduct. However, in reality, this is only used to signal to players and coaches that a red card has been issued to a specific player, not as a blanket penalty for the whole team.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that a goal is scored as soon as the ball crosses the line, without considering if it was touched by an opponent before entering the goal. The confusion arises because they overlook the crucial 'no infringement' clause in Section 6 of IFAB Law 10, which means the referee must verify no player from the opposing team touched the ball prior to its entry into the net.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that a direct free kick is always awarded for fouls like tripping or charging, but in reality, it's only given for ten specific offenses listed by IFAB Law 12, and if those aren't committed, an indirect free kick might be the result instead of a penalty kick. The confusion arises because not all fouls are punished with direct free kicks; context matters.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that only the captain is allowed to protest during a game, which leads to misunderstandings when other players try to use this gesture as well. The confusion arises because the "Only The Captain" rule specifically refers to captains protesting against decisions made by the referee, not all players using it as a general form of communication or protest.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that substitutes can enter from anywhere they want once signaled by the referee, leading to arguments about where substitutions should take place. However, the official rule specifies a precise entry point at the halfway line and exit point across the nearest sideline for tactical or non-medical delays, which is frequently overlooked or misinterpreted.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that only one captain can be designated per team in NWSL matches, leading to arguments about whether a club should have two captains or if they need to designate additional ones beyond the initial one for each match. However, the rule actually states that each club designates one starting captain per match, not limiting it to just one per team overall.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that only the captain can approach the referee with a complaint during games, which is a misconception. The actual rule states that it's only the captain who can wear the armband and thus be identified as such, not necessarily have exclusive authority to speak to officials. This oversight leads to confusion about their broader role in communication.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that if a playoff match ends in a draw after extra time, the game is automatically decided by penalty kicks without considering other possible outcomes like a replay or a coin toss for who takes first kick. The confusion arises because they overlook the IFAB's flexibility to use different methods of deciding winners when penalties don't break ties.