Top Stories

Red Bulls defender Karl Ouimette injured after being intentionally kicked in the back during USL match

Photo by Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

Karl Ouimette’s loan to New York Red Bulls II turned ugly as the Canadian defender was forced to leave the field on a stretcher after an ugly assault by an opponent.

Facing off with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Ouimette was kicked in the back by Pittsburgh forward Romeo Parkes shortly after being shown a red card in what turned out to be a 3-1 win by Red Bulls II.

The incident was preceded by an 86th minute scuffle following a tackle from fellow Red Bulls first-teamer Tyler Adams, with both Ouimette and Parkes earning red cards for their role in the incident. As Ouimette was walking off the field, Parkes thrust his spikes into the back of the Red Bulls defender with a vicious kick, prompting medical personnel onto the field to attend to the injured Ouimette.

Parkes, who has made four appearances for the Jamaican national team, is on the Reggae Boyz’s preliminary roster for this summer’s Copa America.

Here’s a video of Saturday’s incident:

 

What do you think should happen to Parkes? Can you recall seeing a player assault an opponent that way before?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. With that video, if the police do not arrest him and charge him with battery they are not doing their job. There is no need for anyone to “press charges” or not, that was just plain illegal.

    Reply
  2. Should be a lifetime ban from soccer anywhere in the world and criminal charges should be filed. If this isn’t the standard and message sent then I fear for the next victim.

    Reply
  3. Nauseating, disgusting, outrageous behavior. Lifetime ban. No place for this in soccer. Ever. You could permanently paralyze, or kill someone with that kind of vicous attack. Gutless, blind, in the back, on an unsuspecting player. Just tragically AWFUL!

    Reply
  4. Definitely an assault as it is outside the realm of what is consented to in the sport in question. Lifetime ban should be obvious.

    Reply
  5. I agree. He should be banned from playing in US leagues – that includes USL, NASL or MLS.

    There is zero room for that type of cheap shot. Spiking someone on their spine in a way that was clearly meant to injure the player should be addressed in an unambiguous manner.

    Reply
  6. Absolutely disgusting. One of, if not the worst, assaults I have ever seen on the football pitch. It’s right up there with Eric Cantona’s Kong fu kick. The first order of business should be the Riverhounds stepping up and releasing Parkes. They should not stand up for him, period. He doesn’t deserve it. Next, the league should impose a ban, a lengthy one, that could easily blackball him shall be latch onto another USL side.

    Reply
  7. There’s a side view that shows it better. Honestly criminal charges are in order. He leaves his feet to kick him in the spine.

    Reply
    • He needs to be prosecuted for assault with a deadly weapon (his feet) or at least aggravated assault.

      Reply

Leave a Comment