United States men's national team defender Tim Ream made history as the first player to benefit from the International Football Association Board's new "mistaken identity" rule change during a World Cup match against Paraguay on Friday.
The 38-year-old center-back also became the oldest player in USMNT history to feature in a World Cup tournament when the opening whistle blew.
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The newly revised football law allows match officials to utilize video assisted review to reverse yellow and red cards given to the wrong individuals on the pitch.
Incident During Second Half
The incident occurred during the early stages of the second half of the Americans' 4-1 victory over Paraguay, following a challenge where Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almirón went down.
Match referee Danny Makkelie originally booked Ream, prompting immediate protests from the American defender before video assistant referee Carlos del Cerro Grande intervened.
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Following a review at the stadium monitor, Makkelie rescinded the yellow card from Ream and instead cautioned Almirón for simulation.
The decision prevents Ream from carrying a disciplinary caution into the remaining group stage matches, where accumulated yellow cards only reset after the quarter-final round.
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Conversely, American midfielder Tyler Adams will carry a yellow card into the upcoming USMNT fixture against Australia on June 19 after receiving a booking in the 59th minute of Friday's match.
