TORONTO – Toronto FC breathed a major sigh of relief on Friday.
Coach Greg Vanney confirmed that forward Jozy Altidore did not receive an additional suspension from Major League Soccer’s disciplinary committee for his role in the halftime melee that took place between TFC and the New York Red Bulls during the previous round of the playoffs.
What this means is that Altidore will only miss next Tuesday’s first leg of the Eastern Conference final against the Columbus Crew in Ohio. He’ll be eligible to return for the return match on Nov. 29 at BMO Field.
Vanney has had to field questions from reporters about Altidore’s status all week, but at least now that’s over and done with, as Friday’s decision confirmed the American forward will only miss one game.
“It is what it is. People want to know what’s going on, so you have to keep answering these questions. But I don’t think it’s been a topic [of discussion] in our locker room or a discussion within our team. I don’t mind talking about it so long as [the players] are not talking about it,” Vanney stated.
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Altidore faced the possibility of receiving supplemental punishment from the league’s disciplinary committee stemming from the ugly incidents that took place in in the player tunnel leading back to the locker rooms at BMO Field on Nov. 5.
Altidore and New York midfielder Sacha Kljestan picked up red cards in the aftermath of the halftime ruckus. As a result of the red card issued by referee Chris Penso, Altidore earned an automatic one-game suspension.
TFC tried to get the red card rescinded, but their appeal was turned down earlier this week by an independent panel – consisting of one representative from the United States Soccer Federation, one from the Canadian Soccer Association and a former referee – charged with adjudicating the matter.
With regards to players who receive red cards, the league’s disciplinary committee has the right to hand out supplemental punishment above and beyond the mandatory one-game suspension if it deems the offence “to be of an egregious or reckless nature,” or if it feels “it must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game.” The disciplinary committee is made up of three former MLS players, a former MLS coach and a former MLS referee.
Vanney said he wasn’t entirely surprised that Altidore didn’t receive an extra suspension.
“I don’t know how the process worked and what the whole debate and discussion [was]. I am glad, but that’s about where I can leave it for now,” Vanney offered.
Toronto will be without its top two scorers next week in Columbus.
Italian forward Sebastian Giovinco picked up two yellow cards in the New York playoff series, thus earning a one-game suspension. Giovinco will be available for the second leg against the Crew.
TFC was without both Altidore and Giovinco for four games during the regular season, with the club earning mixed results: A 5-0 home win over Columbus and a 4-0 road victory versus Los Angeles; a 5-3 home loss to Montreal and a 2-1 setback in New England.
Giovinco (16 goals) and Altidore (15) accounted for 41.9 per cent of TFC’s league-leading 74 goals this season. Together, they combined for nine game-winning goals, with five from Altidore.
With Altidore and Giovinco unavailable, look for Canadian striker Tosaint Ricketts to lead the line for TFC in Columbus next week, and possibly see Spanish midfielder Victor Vazquez pushed forward in support. Another option would be keeping Vazquez in midfield, and playing Canadian Jonathan Osorio tucked in behind Ricketts.
Ricketts ranked fifth in team scoring this season with seven goals in 22 appearances. The Edmonton native only made nine starts, but one of them came in the 4-0 road win in L.A. on Sept. 16 when both Altidore and Giovinco were missing due to injuries. He also scored a brace in the Reds’ next game when both Altidore and Giovinco were again absent.
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