Dempsey did not start in the match against Portland. He entered into the game, which was part of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, in the 71st minute. The match went into extra time, and trailing Portland 2-1, frustration overwhelmed the 32-year-old forward. Earlier in the match, Dempsey’s USMNT teammate Brad Evans received a red card and Obafemi Martins was …show more content…
U.S. Soccer takes referee abuse seriously. Abuse is tagged with a minimum ban for three matches, which Dempsey received. He could have easily had his actions labeled assault, which carries a minimum six match ban.
It is not over for Dempsey though. U.S. Soccer will be ruling next week that could impact the forward’s eligibility for the Open Cup next year. If the suspension went beyond the three games, and into July, it could have kept Dempsey out of the Gold Cup in July and the USMNT friendly on July 3 against Guatemala.
Sports Illustrated released details that Dempsey’s suspension came directly from Don Garber, the commissioner for MLS, and not the disciplinary committee for the league. This brings up the question if Dempsey was given special treatment because of who he is and what he brings to Major League Soccer.
What Dempsey brought Tuesday night to the Seattle Sounders was a tirade reminiscent of former Seattle Mariners skipper Lou Piniella. All that was needed was for the forward to locate a second base bag to throw or kick a baseball cap around for 15 minutes. Regardless of the comparison, it has hit the Sounders and without Dempsey on the pitch, in his first game suspension, the first place Sounders were trailing the fifth place San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at the