Photo by Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Just over two days ahead of a crucial playoff battle, FC Dallas’ Mauro Diaz has been hit by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.
The league announced Friday that Diaz has been suspended for one game for leaving the bench area in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. In addition, Diaz has been fined an undisclosed amount, while the club has been issued a warning for their first violation of the mass confrontation policy this season.
The incident in question occurred in the 85th minute of Wednesday’s action following a Fabian Castillo foul on the Whitecaps’ Sebastian Fernandez that sparked pushing and shoving between both sides. Diaz then entered the field of play and joined the fracas despite having been substituted in the 79th minute. Diaz was issued a yellow card for the incident.
Diaz, who is in his second season with the club, has scored three goals in 17 appearances this season.
FC Dallas are back in action Sunday when they host the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference semifinals.
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What do you think of Diaz’s suspension? How will FC Dallas cope without him?
Share your thoughts below.
Diaz!!! Come to NASL!!!!
It’s the right thing for the league to do. They have to nip this sort of thing in the bud; they can’t just let it slide. No one would ever want to see MLS resemble the MLB where a batter gets beaned and the benches clear!
I really hate these rules.
(not a Dallas fan)
BS. Give him a fine but the league needs its best players playing in showcase play off games to grow the league.
Coming from a Whitecaps fan*
Bummer that he won’t feature in the Seattle match, but we coped without him for a large portion of the season so it shouldn’t bee too big of a deal. Should be a great game.