Houston Dynamo star Hector Herrera was sent off with a straight red card during Sunday’s playoff game against the Seattle Sounders, about 30 minutes before the Dynamo’s season ended with a 7-6 shootout loss. penalties.
Playing in Game 2 of a three-game series, and having already lost the first game, the Dynamo was feeling the pressure when Herrera was called for a foul and given a yellow card in the 65th minute. in agreement with referee Armando Villarreal’s decision to blow the whistle and made it clear before passing to his side.
But after Herrera walked past Villarreal, he turned around and spat at the referee.
Sorry, Hector Herrera spit at the *referee* to get ejected in a playoff game he had to win at home?
Unforgivable behavior. Absolutely shocking from the Houston Dynamo star. pic.twitter.com/9uzyQRK5Id
—Joseph Lowery (@joeclowery) November 4, 2024
The incident went to the VAR review, during which Villarreal saw Herrera spit on him, then Villarreal showed Herrera a straight red card which ended the Mexican soccer star’s playing time in the match and, ultimately, the season.
With the Dynamo’s 2024 season over, Herrera will have to serve in any discipline at the start of the 2025 season. There was a similar spitting incident in MLS in October, and the offender in that case, Real Salt Lake’s Brayan Vera, He was fined and suspended for two more games. in addition to the automatic suspension of one match for a red card.
If MLS decides to impose the same discipline on Herrera, he would serve that three-game suspension next year, regardless of whether he is still with the Dynamo. His contract ends at the end of 2024 but Houston has an option on him for 2025, or another team.