NEW YORK CITY – Things got worse for Orlando City SC following its disappointing exit from the MLS Cup Playoffs last weekend. Fines to several players and Head Coach Oscar Pareja and an extra suspension to Mauricio Pereyra handed down by the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee on Friday.
Most of this came out of two mass confrontation incidents, in the 60th and 71st minute both while trailing the New England Revolution. The league deemed both incidents a breach of the policy surrounding mass confrontation. This meant it was the third time that the club committed the offense and as such the club and Pareja received fines.
Junior Urso and Daryl Dike were responsible for starting and escalating the incidents and were both fined undisclosed amounts. Urso’s was for the first and Dike was for the second.
The first confrontation came after a foul from Pereyra, which saw him earn a straight red card. The committee deemed that serious foul play red card was worthy of an extended suspension. Pereyra’s suspension has been extended by one match meaning he will miss Orlando’s first two matches in 2021.
Nani was expected to face punishment for his reactions but escaped any further penalty from the league with no fine or suspension.
Losing to New England ended the Lions’ season, there is no news on when the 2021 season will begin but there’s every possibility that it could play under the usual MLS schedule.
Photo: Major League Soccer
Florida Soccer Report 