Offsides Rule Experiment Produces Its First Goal

Soccer has recorded its first goal allowed under a proposed tweak to its offside rule. The Canadian Premier League on Saturday became the first competition to see a goal stand under the "daylight" gap rule in a 2-2 draw between Pacific FC and the Halifax Wanderers. Pacific's Alejandro Diaz scored after a rebound in the 20th minute and appeared to be slightly ahead of Halifax's second-to-last defender—the kind of hairline call that usually would wipe out a goal, the Athletic reports.

Instead, officials let it stand under the trial rule, which says an attacker is onside as long as some part of their goal-legal body is in line with or behind the defender and there's no clear space between them. The change, pushed by FIFA's Arsene Wenger and being tested this season, is intended to favor attacking play and ease frustration over offside calls historically decided by inches. Opponents argue the change would be too much of a help to the offense. Results of the trial will be assessed at the end of the year, per the BBC. The rule change could then take effect worldwide.