MLS Ticker: Petke rant earns him hefty fine; Joseph, Bernardez suspended two matches; and more

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By DAN KARELL

When New York Red Bulls manager Mike Petke gave his opinion of the referees performances during his side’s 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew last Sunday, it was a calculated decision, one that he knew would come with a fine.

On Friday, the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee put a price on Petke’s rant, costing him $2,000 for “public criticism of the officials.”

The former Metrostars and Red Bulls player was upset about a controversial penalty called in the 73rd minute, which ended up giving the visiting Crew a 2-1 lead at the time.

“That’s a guy [the referee], in my estimation, who is probably getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend, and wants to be part of the show,” Petke said last Sunday. “I could care less what the league fines me, and what they say. Those decisions, those type of things, cost jobs.”

Here are some more stories from around the MLS:

JOSEPH, BERNARDEZ SUSPENDED TWO MATCHES

It was bad enough when the Seattle Sounders were losing on the road, 4-0, in the first half to the Los Angeles Galaxy last Sunday, but adding insult to injury, Sounders designated player Shalrie Joseph was given his marching orders in the 87th minute for shoving Galaxy midfielder Marcelo Sarvas in the face.

On Friday, Joseph learned that he would be missing an additional match, after the Disciplinary Committee deemed the play worth of a “violent conduct” charge. With the two-match suspension, the earliest Joseph can return is June 22 at Real Salt Lake.

Also receiving a suspension was San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez, who was given a two-match ban for endangering the safety of an opponent. Bernardez collided with FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper in a challenge along the sideline, eventually kicking the back of Cooper’s head and giving him a concussion.

Bernardez, who only received a yellow card on the play, will be eligeable to return to the field on June 22 at D.C. United.

KOEVERMANS SUFFERS SETBACK

Earlier this week in training, Toronto FC forward Danny Koevermans suffered what manager Ryan Nelsen called a “minor injury” but one nonetheless that could hold him out of his season debut.

Koevermans hasn’t played since July 15 of last year, suffering a torn ACL in a match against the New England Revolution. Last week, Koevermans, who played 45 minutes of reserve team soccer, targeted Toronto’s June 1 match against the Philadelphia Union as his debut date.