Jeff Carlisle, US Soccer Correspondent November 29, 2023, 7:12 p.m. ET
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- Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga for three games and imposed an undisclosed fine for “misconduct” after his team won the playoffs against the New York Red Bulls on November 4.
A source with knowledge of the league’s investigation into the incident said Miazga was suspended for gaining unauthorized access to an area reserved for match referees.
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When contacted by ESPN by phone, Peter Manikowski – president of the Professional Soccer Referees Association, the union that represents MLS referees – pointed to the referees’ match report from that evening, which said Miazga was about an hour after the game The referees entered the locker room uninvited, used foul language and behaved aggressively.
At the time of publication, the FCC did not respond to telephone calls seeking comment on the suspension.
Miazga, who was recently named the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year, also received an undisclosed fine and must undergo a behavioral evaluation as part of the league’s substance and behavioral health program. MLS said in a statement that Miazga “may request a reduction in suspension based on continued commitment and compliance with all recommended treatment programs.”
The suspension effectively ends Miazga’s season and rules him out of Saturday’s Eastern Conference final against the Columbus Crew, as well as the MLS Cup final should Cincinnati go that far. Any portion of the suspension not served in 2023 will carry over to the 2024 season.
In the second game of the FCC’s first-round playoff series against the New York Red Bulls, Miazga was cautioned for dissent after referee Victor Rivas ended the break in play. Miazga, a former Red Bulls player, was then cautioned again when he blew kisses and said “I love you” to Red Bulls fans after a converted try in the penalty shootout – which FCC ultimately won.
Combined with a yellow card Miazga received in the first game, the defender was suspended for the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia Union, which the FCC won 1-0 last weekend.
The aforementioned source told ESPN that video evidence shows Miazga entered an area reserved for referees after the game to speak to Rivas.
Immediately after the game, different descriptions of the incident emerged. In a social media post
Multiple sources confirmed that Miazga was the player mentioned in the post.
A source with direct knowledge of the incident confirmed a Cincinnati Enquirer report and claimed that stadium security was not involved nor was force required to remove Miazga.
Ahead of the semi-final game against Union, FCC manager Pat Noonan told reporters: “It’s an hour and a half after the game. [Miazga’s] had a pizza box in his hand. I think people have the idea that he ran into that room in his football boots. What happened is fictional.