The Seattle Sounders' issues to start 2018 continued on Sunday, when Clint Dempsey was shown a red card after Video Review.
The US national team legend was sent off for violent conduct after swinging his arm and making contact with FC Dallas midfielder Jacori Hayes. Referee Chris Penso was made aware of the incident by VAR Kevin Stott. You can watch the video above.
The red was the third in his MLS career, after being shown one on Decision Day against Colorado last year after Video Review and his first coming back in July 2016.
Of course his most famous red card came in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup, when he ripped up the notebook of referee Daniel Radford. He was subsequently suspended a total of six Open Cup matches or the entirety of the 2016 and 2017 tournaments, whichever was greater. He is set to return from that suspension if the Sounders can advance past their first match of the tournament this season. MLS issued a separate three-game suspension after the incident.
Dempsey will be eligible to return to the field when Seattle face Sporting Kansas City on April 15.
