Clint Dempsey Rips Referee Notebook and Gets a Red Card
US National Team Captain sent off the pitch, leaving the Sounders with 7 men
June 17, 2015
Defending Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Seattle Sounders crashed and burned yesterday, losing to Cascadia Cup, Major League Soccer rivals Portland Timbers 3-1.
Seattle Sounders, defending U.S. Open Cup Champions and top of the MLS Western Conference have been destroyed last night by MLS Western rivals Portland Timbers (ranked 4th in the conference) could have been a story on its own, but it was more about what happened on the pitch beyond the actual game.
Portland scored the first goal (48’), a few minutes later Sounders’ Brad Evans was sent off due to a tackle earning him a second yellow card. Seattle held its own and towards the end of the 2nd half managed to score and tie the match (79’).
Just as things appeared to improving for MLS Seattle Sounders, forward Obafemi Martins suffered and injury and left the pitch on a stretcher, leaving Seattle with 9 players.
The Timbers went on to score 2 dramatic goals in added time (100’ and 116’), but what became the talking point of this game was Clint Dempsey’s behaviour.
As a red card was being shown to teammate Michael Azira, Dempsey lost his temper and while arguing with the referee knocked out of the ref’s hand a notebook onto the pitch, then Clint proceeded to pick it up and tear it to shreds.
This, earning Dempsey a red card of his own, leaving Seattle with 7 men at the end of the match.
I would have expected a lot more in terms of sports conduct from Seattle Sounders Skipper, US National Team Captain and one of Major League Soccer’s top players.
