San Jose Earthquakes forward Alan Gordon has issued an apology after NBC Sports Network cameras captured him using what appeared to be a homophobic slur towards the Portland Timbers' Will Johnson in Sunday night's encounter between the two teams.
“I sincerely apologize for what I said in our game tonight," Gordon said in a statement posted on the Earthquakes' website. "Although I said it in the heat of the moment, that language has no place in our game. That is not my character, but there is still no excuse for saying what I said. I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility for my actions.”
The incident, which took place following a foul by Johnson on Gordon in the 60th minute, did not result in any disciplinary action, though Gordon was sent off nine minutes later for receiving a second yellow card in an unrelated incident.
