OBETZ, Ohio – Columbus Crew midfielder Tony Tchani believes the one-game suspension issued to Colorado forward Edson Buddle by the MLS Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday is justified, but it won't help the Crew in the standings.
Tchani said Wednesday that he thought Buddle should have been sent off for the tackle on him in the 58th minute of Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Rapids. Buddle, who gave Colorado the lead in the 8th minute, was given a yellow card instead.
"It's a little bit frustrating," Tchani told MLSsoccer.com. "At the time it was 1-0. If Edson Buddle would have been sent off we probably could have tied and maybe win the game. The game would have changed."
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Tchani was dribbling in the center circle when Buddle challenged him from behind with a leg whip.
"I felt I could have broken my leg," said Tchani, who was replaced 15 minutes after the incident but is expected to start Saturday at Toronto FC. "I wanted to ask the referee, 'If my leg had been broken, would you have given him a red card?' But I had to let it go and walk away."
This is the second time this season the committee has converted an in-game caution by a Crew opponent into a suspension.
On April 20, Chicago midfielder Wells Thompson was booked in the 12th minute for his tackle of Agustín Viana but stayed in the game, eventually won by the Fire 1-0. Crew coach Robert Warzycha sees similarities in the two incidents.
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"Both times it was an easy call," he said. "Both tackles were vicious. Whether they got the guy or not, they were vicious and they should have been a red card. I'm very surprised that the outcome was different."
