Talk about burying the lede!
Referee Tori Penso got booed by Real Salt Lake fans during Saturday night’s clash with the Portland Timbers at America First Field despite announcing a favorable Video Review that allowed Diego Luna’s 22nd-minute goal to stand.
The reason? Penso began her explanation by calling out “two players in an offside position from RSL.”
The home crowd reacted immediately, loudly raining boos on the ref. Penso quickly put the fans in their place, ensuring they could hear her above the jeers.
“However, they do not impact the goalkeeper. Therefore, final decision is goal,” said Penso.
The boos suddenly turned into cheers and all was well for RSL, who took a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to Luna and new signing Dominik Marczuk’s opening goal.
Penso, who reffed the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, now boasts a viral clip that rivals colleague Filip Dujic.
Earlier this season, Dujic went viral for a similar situation during a St. Louis CITY SC vs. Atlanta United match.
