American soccer star Jozy Altidore got into a heated shoving match with his U.S. Men’s National Team teammate Sacha Kljestan at halftime of Sunday’s MLS playoff game between the former’s Toronto FC and the latter’s New York Red Bulls.
Although it’s difficult to decipher, video of the altercation emerged depicting an altercation in a crowded tunnel midway through New York’s 1-0 win. Both Altidore and Kljestan were given red cards.
Altidore said Kljestan tried to ‘pull up on me while my back was turned,’ according to TMZ. Toronto coach Greg Vanney claimed Altidore was ‘ambushed’ by a half dozen or so Red Bulls teammates.
Kljestan said it was Altidore who started the fight.
Both players could be seen arguing with each other during a physical first half in which Altidore was shoved to the ground by Kljestan. Although Kljestan clearly put his hands on Altidore, the 28-year-old star forward may have been embellishing when he fell to the ground. Kljestan was given a yellow card at the time.
New York Red Bull’s Sacha Kljestan (No. 16) was ejected after getting into a halftime shoving match with his USMNT teammate and Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore during Sunday’s game
Michael Bradley (No. 4) of Toronto FC gestures to the referee after teammate Jozy Altidore (No.17) is knocked down by Sacha Kljestan (No. 16) of New York Red Bulls on Sunday
Toronto’s Jozy Altidore (No. 17) argues with USMNT teammate and Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (behind Altidore with a mustache) as well as New York’s Damien Perrinelle (No. 55)
Players from both teams as well as a police officer can be seen trying to break up the skirmish in the tunnel at halftime.
Sunday’s match was a physical affair, as both teams combined for eight yellow cards and several hard tackles and challenges in front of a crowd of 29,000 at BMO Field.
‘The game just became a little bit about soccer and a lot about nonsense,’ Vanney said. ‘That’s irritating I’m sure for spectators, it’s irritating for coaches and players, and it’s irritating for what our league is supposed to be about.’
Altidore’s red and an upcoming yellow-card accumulation suspension for Sebastian Giovinco, who was booked in the 80th minute, will mean Toronto could play without its two top forwards in the opening leg of the Eastern Conference finals.
Altidore has scored 41 goals in 110 appearances for the USMNT while Kljestan has six goals in 52 appearances.
Both Kljestan and Altidore played for the U.S. Men’s National Team, which failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, leading to coach Bruce Arena’s resignation.
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the only goal in the 53rd minute and the clubs finished level 2-2 on aggregate after the second match in the two-leg series, which went to the Canadians on away goals 2-1.
Toronto will next face the Columbus Crew who also advanced despite a 2-0 loss to New York City FC in the second leg on Sunday.
Kljestan claimed Altidore started the fight in the tunnel while Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney said Altidore was ‘ambushed’ by a handful of Red Bulls teammates
A police officer can be seen trying to keep the peace between Toronto FC and the Red Bulls
Altidore (No. 17) and Kljestan (No. 16) prior to a USMNT game against New Zealand in 2016
Altidore (No. 17) continued quarreling with Red Bulls players at halftime, leading to his ejection
Columbus won the first leg 4-1 at home on Tuesday and secured a 4-3 victory in the total-goals series.
The first game of the conference final will be in Columbus on November 21.
New York City was eliminated at the conference semi-final stage for a second consecutive season, this time after receiving a first-round bye and the second seed.
New York improved on its conference semi-final performance from last season, when it lost 7-0 to Toronto over two legs.
New York had its first goal after 16 minutes. Rodney Wallace stripped the ball off defender Josh Williams in the Columbus penalty area, then tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Williams. Referee Kevin Stott immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
David Villa drove his penalty to the open right side of the net.
It was 2-0 eight minutes after the break as Andraz Strunaz cut in from the right and aimed a shot for the top left corner. Jonathan Mensah tried to head it out of the box, but instead redirected it past goalkeeper Zack Steffan.
The Houston Dynamo punched their ticket to the Western Conference finals on Sunday at Providence Park with a 2-1 upset win in the second leg of their two game series against the Portland Timbers.
The first leg, at Houston, ended in a scoreless draw.
Dairon Asprilla opened the scoring for Portland in the 39th minute.
Defender Dylan Remick tied it in the first half and forward Mauro Manotas scored from distance in the second half as Houston advanced to face the defending MLS champion Seattle Sounders.
Altidore (No. 17) and Kljestan (No. 16) celebrate Altidore’s second goal against Jamaica in 2013
Kljestan (No. 16) and Altidore (No. 17) line up a free kick against Serbia during a January game
Jozy Altidore (No. 17) engages in one of several heated arguments with Red Bulls players