The Vancouver Whitecaps are appealing Kendall Waston’s red card from their 4-1 loss at Atlanta on Saturday, a club source told MLSsoccer.com Tuesday.
The Whitecaps announced their appeal shortly after MLSsoccer.com’s initial report.
Waston was shown a straight red card in the 13th minute of Saturday’s match after his arm hit the head of Atlanta’s Leandro Gonzalez Pirez just inside the Vancouver penalty area during a set play. No foul was initially called, but referee Ismail Elfath showed Waston a straight red and awarded Atlanta a penalty kick after Video Review.
Atlanta forward Josef Martinez converted the ensuing spot kick for the Five Stripes’ first goal of the match.
An independent three-member panel composed of one member of US Soccer, one member of Canada Soccer and one member of the Professional Referee Organization will rule on the appeal. If it’s successful, Waston’s one-game red card ban will be rescinded. If rejected, both the suspension and any additional Disciplinary Committee punishment will stand, and Vancouver will only be allowed one more unsuccessful sending-off appeal this season.
Waston is currently on international duty with Costa Rica and will miss Vancouver’s match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday (10 pm ET; TSN1 — full TV & streaming info). If the Whitecaps’ appeal is rejected, he’ll serve his one-game suspension when Vancouver plays at Columbus Crew SC on March 31 (3 pm ET; CTV, TSN4/5 — full TV & streaming info).
