Minnesota United midfielder Alexi Gomez and goalkeeper coach John Pascarella have each been served a three-game suspension for their participation in a scuffle that occurred in the club’s 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 13.
The incident occurred after Yannick Boli’s goal in the 97th minute gave the Rapids their second goal of the match. In the ensuing celebration, Rapids defender Tommy Smith ran up beside Minnesota’s bench and appeared to shout at the crowd at TCF Bank Stadium. Smith was then pushed by Minnesota’s Miguel Ibarra which ensued a confrontation between both sides.
Pascarella was dismissed from the match for irresponsible behavior, which carries an automatic one-game suspension. The three-game suspension will make it four total regular-season games total that he’ll miss, two of which will come in the 2019 season. He also received an undisclosed fine.
Minnesota midfielder Harrison Heath, who received a red card following the melee, was handed an additional one-game suspension (two games total) and an undisclosed fine.
For the Rapids, Boli has been issued an undisclosed fine and a one-game suspension for entering the field of play during a confrontational incident.
MLS also fined both clubs, as well as Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath and Colorado head Anthony Hudson for violation of the league’s mass confrontation policy.
Colorado midfielder Marlon Hairston and defender Edgar Castillo, as well as Minnesota’s Ibarra, were issued an undisclosed fine for inciting or escalating the mass confrontation incident. Minnesota midfielder Maximiano also was issued an undisclosed fine for violating the bench behavior policy.
The league has also fined Colorado Rapids midfielder Jack Price, as well as Minnesota United defender Brent Kallman, midfielder Darwin Quintero, and forward Angelo Rodriguez for violating the league’s policy regarding hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent during the mass confrontation incident.