The league's disciplinary committee has suspended Chivas USA's Michael Lahoud for two games and fined him $500 following his reckless tackle on the Chicago Fire's Justin Mapp on Saturday.
Lahoud's studs made contact with Mapp's ankle in a 13th-minute challenge, and though the match referee called a foul on the play, he didn't issue Lahoud a card at the time. Mapp left the field shortly after and told MLSsoccer.com that he has "tweaked" a hamstring. He is doubtful for Chicago's upcoming game against Toronto FC.
U.S. Soccer Director of Referee Development Paul Tamberino told MLSsoccer on Monday that Lahoud should have received a red card for the challenge.
“The Lahoud tackle on Justin Mapp which was very, very nasty challenge which endangered the safety of the player and was excessive force,” Tamberino said. “There was a lot of discussion [among the federation's referees], but not a whole lot of debate.”
Lahoud will serve the suspension during Chivas' May 5 match against New England and their May 8 fixture against Houston.
The committee also fined D.C. United head coach Curt Onalfo $1,000 and increased his suspension to two U.S. Open Cup games following an incident during D.C.'s cup play-in match against Dallas last week.
Onalfo was ejected from the match in the 32nd minute for improper conduct. The suspension will take effect for United's U.S. Open Cup play-in against Real Salt Lake on June 2 and will carry forward should United win that match.
The committee has the power to discipline players and coaches for improper conduct in U.S. Open Cup play-in matches as they are not considered part of the official tournament, the league said in a statement.
