Brek Shea's frustrating start to the season just got worse.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee handed Shea a three-game suspension and fined him an undisclosed amount for his actions in FC Dallas' 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew this past weekend.
Shea received the punishment for his actions in the 24th minute of the match, when he deliberately kicked the ball that struck an assistant referee. Shea, who is projected to get called up to the U.S. men's national team this weekend, will serve his suspension during the next three regular season matches that he is with FC Dallas for.
Portland Timbers defender Mamadou Danso was also handed a suspension, but his is less severe. Danso was given a one-game ban and fined an undisclosed amount for striking Houston Dynamo forward Calen Carr in the head in the 82nd minute of the teams' scoreless draw on Tuesday night. Danso will serve his suspension on Saturday when Portland hosts the Chicago Fire.
You can see Shea's incident after the jump:
What do you think of these suspensions? Agree with Shea getting a three-game ban? Think Danso's strike was worth being suspended?
Share your thoughts below.
It’s nice to see Danso get punished after the fact.
Portland’s CB strategy seemed to be “fall down and try to draw phantom fouls” instead of actual defense.
Can’t say if Danso or Alhassan was more to blame, but its nice that someone’s getting punished.
Still doesnt help Houston get the free kick they deserved.
Young athletes need to grow up. Yes, looks like a dive to me – but really,Shea, keep your cool. If you hadn’t kicked the ball at the AR, then maybe there might have been a card for the dive. And by way, what if the AR’s flag was for a dive?
wow that was a massive dive. that should be a suspension right there. shea deserves it too though. can’t do what he did and get away with it. but seriously, how did dude not get a suspension for diving?!
Jozy went through his dispensary years not that long ago (head butt, etc..). These young athletes need to learn there’s thing you do, and things you don’t do.. Better learning it there than at a World Cup. Suspension given is appropriate- you got to admit it though, that took some skill to pop the ball up and nail a ref with it… : P
This kid needs to grow up. He got his first U.S. call-up after getting suspended for a stupid foul, and this action is even more childish. Now he’ll have plenty of time to paint another one of those masterpieces in his art studio (real deep dude), and style his hair all nice for the camera. If you can’t tell by now, I’ve pretty much given up on Brek.
No kidding, that should have been a suspension.
I think 3 games is a bit harsh, especially because I’m not really convinced he was trying to hit the ref with the ball…
Is this a preview of the script from your soon-to-be-released ESL comedy?
3 games for that seems severe, that should be a 1 game ban (like a red card).
Suspend Shea for ONE GAME and suspend that Columbus idiot for diving at least the same amount. This is the sort of stuff that just reinforces all the diving in the league, totally dumb move by the MLS.
Agree
+1
Tchani should get a suspension for that dive. If Shea hadn’t done what he did afterwards, MLS would be under real pressure to suspend Tchani. Instead, SHea’s actions probably mean Tchani will get a pass.
ColRoy is “on topic” the previous poster brought up referees and their families and makes a valid point – many of these guys are not cut out to referee professionally. If the AR makes the foul call, Shea isn’t frustrated and doesn’t kick the ball.
Committee: “That’s fine…”
Shea: “OK, so I get away with it?”
Committee: “No, that’s fine, pay up.”
Can someone, for the sake of clarity, write a brief paragraph detailing why Shea is so highly rated as an international prospect? People always say he’s so highly rated by I’m not exactly clear on what elements of his game seem to carry so much potential. is it speed? size? ball control? vision? finishing? Anyone who has had a chance to watch this guy over an extended period of time, please explain.
well, let’s be fair, his hair isn’t ALWAYS blond.
Can understand Shea being frustrated. No question at all that the guy dived. An awful call by the ref. But deliberately kicking that ball to hit the ref? Stupid as heck. Shea is lucky to get off the hook with only a three-game ban. If he would do that in international play he would no doubt have been red-carded and paid a much higher price than just a three-game ban. I like Shea and see potential there, but he needs to focus on improving his game. It’s as if he is trying to be a star before he is a star and that is a sure-fire recipe to wreck your career. I don’t see Klinsmann calling him up. Not because of the suspension, but because of his poor form.
Shea deserves an additional one game suspension for having such bad haircuts.
Try to stay on topic. No matter how bad the ref did, he didn’t strike, push, taunt, or do anything than make a decision the player didn’t like. The player struck the ref. That is the real story, and is so completely anathema to the spirit of the game that he should probably have caught 4 games, not 3.
Well, there was contact but it probably shouldn’t have gotten called. Poor judgement by Shea–however, I think it’s ridiculous that the three-week suspension is not for Dallas’s next three games but only if he is with the team.
My thoughts exactly. VERY inconsiderate on MLS HQ’s part.
Well, then he could head for Orlando…if he’s gonna get a call that is
Seems like Klinsmann punished Benny for bitching at a ref after being hauled down on a corner kick. The following game, he didn’t even see the field. I Wonder if the same will happen to our blond haired, blue eyed boy?
Where is the FMF Final? The 2 best club teams in our region.
Should be 1 game suspension and that Columbus retard dove
if you play the video real slow you can see that shea expresses frustration in his face miliseconds before he vaults the ball at the ref. 2 games is more appropriate
Wasn’t a foul at all, and it happened right in front of that linesman, who must be smoking crack.
Still, it was funny seeing Shea kick the ball at him. He’s gotta be frustrated. After a breakout season last year, he’s be so-so in all areas this year.
Unless Tony Tchani is made of cardboard.
I suppose it had to be 3 games — you can’t kick the ball at the AR. It did not seem malicious on Shea’s part, just a reaction.
This is a travesty!!! What the heck is MLS thinking????
How can you suspend a guy AFTER fantasy rosters have locked in for the week???
This is so unfair…..
Am i the only one thought that was a total dive?!? Shea’s frustrations were legit, but kicking the ball at the ref was not.
Let’s be honest, that ref deserved it.
As for Danso, could have been a red card, should have been a yellow card, no foul was called.
No doubt shea is a top player and is going to be a big part of the national team soon, but sometimes he plays like a real prick. Hope he grows up soon.
Anyway, this Monterray vs Santos final game is great, Goalazo Santos! the second leg on sunday should be entertaining!
spot on. But what about the dive??
Some of them need to stay home with their families, maybe they are better fathers than referees
Good three game suspension for Brek. He kicked the ball at AR before he pointed flag in direction of foul. Flag was raised…ball was kicked…AR points flag and THEN ball makes contact. Players don’t realise referees love the game as much as they do and consider many of the players to be their heros too. You think referees do this for the money?? Every single one of these referees have a full time career and miss time with their families or work because they love this game. How many little kids watching Brek do that now think that is cool to do to referees when the call goes against them?
Here’s he Video: http://youtu.be/WeQm4emCyTA
Where in the hell is the multigame suspension for Justin Merram? A kick to the throat? A studs up kick to the knee? No cards no suspension?
MLS is a joke
Shea suspension is appropriate, anytime you make contact with a ref (by kicking a ball or otherwise) you gotta get multiple games. But on the same note, that was one of the worst calls I’ve seen in a while. Columbus player shouldve gotten a yellow for diving, not a foul on Shea.
haha esp with that pic where he’s like “noooooooo”
With everything going on today, I saw a picture of Shea on the main page and thought he got traded to Chivas too