Two USMNT Players Suspended for Scuffle in Nations League Game vs. Mexico

Concacaf assessed additional discipline to the United States and Mexico in the aftermath of their heated semifinal matchup.

Two members of the United States men’s national soccer team received additional discipline from Concacaf on Friday stemming from the fallout of the U.S.’s heated Concacaf Nations League semifinal matchup against Mexico.

Midfielder Weston McKennie and right back Sergiño Dest were assessed three-match and two-match suspensions, respectively, after both players were given red cards and automatic one-game suspensions for separate confrontations with Mexico players.

The violations forced McKennie and Dest to watch on the sidelines as the U.S. went on to repeat as Nations League champions with a win over Canada on June 18. The USMNT will see its next action in the Gold Cup starting on Saturday, which neither McKennie and Dest were set to compete in.

Despite not being a part of the Gold Cup, the tournament will reportedly count towards McKennie and Dest’s suspensions, per The Athletic.

The USMNT’s Nation League final victory followed a controversial meeting with Mexico that saw each team receive two red cards before play was halted following anti-LGBTQ chants from the crowd. 

During the contest, officials sent McKennie off in the 71st minute following a scuffle with defender Cesar Montes after he kicked American Folarin Balogun. Dest was later hit with a sending off in the 86th minute after a shoving match with defender Gerardo Arteaga.

In addition to McKennie and Dest, Concacaf also imposed two-match suspensions on Montes and Arteaga.