NEW YORK – The MLS Disciplinary Committee on Thursday suspended Chivas USA midfielder Carlos Alvarez for two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for violent conduct during the game against Sporting Kansas City on May 5.
With his opponent, Peterson Joseph, prone on the ground in the 73rd minute, Alvarez kicked the ball toward Joseph’s head from close range. (See video above.)
Alvarez will serve his suspension during Chivas USA’s games on Sunday, May 12, against the Portland Timbers and Sunday, May 19, against Real Salt Lake.
The Committee also fined Philadelphia Union head coach John Hackworth and Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter undisclosed amounts for public criticism of the officials following Philadelphia's 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders and Portland's 1-1 draw with FC Dallas, respectively.
READ: Union's Hackworth lays into refs after draw with Seattle
READ: Timbers' Porter takes issue with decisive PK call in Dallas
The Disciplinary Committee may decide to take action in response to any of the following types of public criticism:
- Statements that call into question the quality of a particular official, the way in which a match is officiated or the quality of officiating in MLS.
- Statements that attack officials personally, question their character, charge them with dishonesty or mischief or use their name in scurrilous manner.
- Other misconduct – any other conduct (statements or otherwise) that demonstrates disrespect, or has the effects of bringing the referee or the officiating or the league into disrepute.
