News Summary
Major League Soccer has announced disciplinary actions following Matchday 28 of the season. These actions include fines, warnings, and suspensions for players and teams involved in unsporting behavior, mass confrontations, and other violations. Key offenders include players from Real Salt Lake, FC Cincinnati, and Philadelphia Union. The league aims to uphold standards of sportsmanship and conduct on the field.
MLS Disciplinary Actions: Fines, Warnings, and Suspensions Issued Following Matchday 28 of the 2025 Season
Major League Soccer has announced disciplinary measures resulting from incidents during Matchday 28 of the 2025 season. The league imposed various fines, warnings, and suspensions on players and teams for violations of policies relating to conduct on the field, including unsporting behavior, mass confrontations, and failing to leave the field promptly.
Player Fines and Conduct Violations
Several players received fines for their conduct during recent matches. Notably, Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna was fined for failing to leave the field in a timely manner during the 85th minute of his team’s match against the New York Red Bulls on August 10. Similarly, Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Édier Ocampo was fined for not leaving the pitch promptly in the 27th minute of the game against San Jose Earthquakes on August 9. Both players’ violations involved delays in exiting the field after being substituted or fouled.
Further disciplinary actions targeted specific misconducts. FC Cincinnati defenders Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Lukas Engel, DeAndre Yedlin, midfielder Evander, and forward Gerardo Valenzuela were fined for inciting or escalating a mass confrontation during their match against Charlotte FC on August 10. Also, LAFC forward Denis Bouanga was fined for violating league policy by kicking an object towards fans during their game against Colorado Rapids on July 9. The league emphasized that such actions breach the league’s player behavior policies and undermine sportsmanship standards.
Violations Related to Mass Confrontation and Unsporting Behavior
Two teams were found in violation of the league’s Mass Confrontation Policy after recent matches. The Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC were both cited for escalating tensions during their respective encounters on August 9. The Union was involved in their second violation of the season, while this marked the first offense for Toronto FC. Both clubs’ head coaches were fined: Bradley Carnell for Philadelphia and Robin Fraser for Toronto. Additionally, both teams received Official Warnings.
The Philadelphia Union players involved—goalkeeper Andre Blake, midfielder Quinn Sullivan, and forward Mikael Uhre—were fined for inciting or escalating violence during the confrontation. Similarly, Toronto FC players Richie Laryea and Deybi Flores faced fines for their roles in inciting or escalating the incident.
FC Cincinnati also faced consequences for their conduct during their match against Charlotte FC on August 10. The club violated the same policy, marking their first offense of the season. The team and head coach Pat Noonan received Official Warnings, while individual defenders Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Lukas Engel, and DeAndre Yedlin along with other players, including Evander and Gerardo Valenzuela, were fined for inciting or escalating further confrontations.
Other Disciplinary Actions
Additional fines and suspensions involved incidents from earlier matches. Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez was suspended for one game and fined for violent conduct during their match against Columbus Crew on February 22. His suspension will be served on March 1 in a match against D.C. United.
In another case, Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez was fined for violating the hands to face/head/neck policy during halftime of their game against New York City FC on February 22. Similarly, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami was fined for a violation following their match that same day, involving the same policy.
Further violations included Kamal Miller of Portland Timbers, who was fined for failing to leave the field promptly during their game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on February 23, as well as Gabriel Pec of LA Galaxy, who was fined for simulation/embellishment during their match against D.C. United.
Summary of Fines and Penalties
- Players fined for failure to leave the field promptly: Diego Luna, Édier Ocampo, Kamal Miller.
- Players fined for inciting or escalating confrontations: Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Lukas Engel, DeAndre Yedlin, Evander, Gerardo Valenzuela, Richie Laryea, Deybi Flores.
- Fines issued for misconduct such as kicking objects and simulation/embellishment.
- Teams and head coaches warned or fined for violations related to mass confrontations: Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC, FC Cincinnati.
- Suspensions: Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire FC).
The league continues to enforce its policies to promote sportsmanship and order during matches, with disciplinary actions reflecting the severity and frequency of the incidents reported during the recent matchday.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Major Player Absences Ahead of Upcoming MLS Matches
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati Play to Scoreless Draw Amid Controversy
MLS Suspends Key Players for All-Star Game Absence
Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: Diego Luna Fined
- Google Search: MLSSoccer disciplinary committee
- MLS Soccer: Denis Bouanga Fined
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Front Row Soccer: Brian Gutiérrez Suspension
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Disciplinary Action
- MLS Soccer: Gabriel Pec Fined
- Google News: MLS disciplinary committee latest
- Hudson River Blue: Messi Controversy
- Google Scholar: MLS player conduct
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