Meghan Klignenberg carded and suspended for next match
Yesterday evening, Seattle Reign hosted the Portland Thorns and met for the third time this season. Defender Meghan Klingenberg of the Thorns was given a yellow card in the 14th minute of the match. The NWSL Disciplinary Committee reviewed the interaction with Seattle midfielder Allie Long and suspended Klingenberg from one game and charged her a fee for her “violent conduct” according to the NWSL.
Klingenberg had made her third consecutive throw in on the pitch that then resulted to the violent play. Both were trying to gain possession of the ball and Long’s arm was up when the two continued to pulled. Klingenberg’s reaction to this came as an aggressive kick against Long to her knee once the whistle blown.
Long went down and Klingenberg walked away with her hands up in the air questioning the call. Referee Christina Unkel carded Klingenberg and as a result of her actions she will miss the Thorn’s game next Friday when they will face the Utah Royals.
Klingenberg apologized via Twitter:
“I regret what happened at our game last weekend against the Reign. That’s not the type of player or person I am. I’ve personally apologized to Allie Long. I am disappointed in myself because I have let my team down. I will be better. Thanks.”
Although there has been no response from Long on Twitter regarding the incident, her husband tweeted a clip of the playing questioning the call as well.
The play can be viewed here.
