Alain Nkong stirred up a hornet’s nest in Texas on Saturday.
The midfielder was at the center of several incidents against FC Dallas before he was sent off in the 53rd minute of Colorado’s victory for elbowing Simo Valakari in the nose.
Video replay of the incident shows Nkong going up for a header with his back to Valakari, who appears to jump into Nkong’s arm.
Head referee Terry Vaughn did not call a foul during the collision, but play was later stopped to render aid to a bloodied Valakari. After discussing the play on the sideline with fourth official Baldomero Toledo, Vaughn gave Nkong his walking papers.
“I jumped like any other player in any (game) in any other place in the world,” Nkong said. “He came and crashed into me. I don’t understand.”
Coach Fernando Clavijo said the decision was peculiar since Vaughn, who had a clear view of the play, did not blow his whistle. Clavijo is sure Toledo didn’t see the incident, either.
“He couldn’t because (Toledo) was talking to me on the sideline,” Clavijo said. “We were arguing with each other about something else.”
Valakari said Tuesday his eye was black and nose was hurting, but he didn’t think Nkong meant to hit him.
Nkong will sit out Saturday’s Western Conference final against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Invesco Field at Mile High, barring the unlikely event Major League Soccer reverses or diminishes the punishment.
Though most soccer leagues around the world allow referees to modify their decisions after a match upon review, MLS has never overturned a referee’s decision in its 10 years, according to MLS spokesman Simon Borg.
Long night for Nkong
Nkong’s dismissal at Pizza Hut Park capped a wild night for the Cameroonian.
Nkong caught a studs-up challenge from FC Dallas’ Bobby Rhine in the 16th minute and drew jeers after he swiped the ball from Ramon Nuñez’s feet with a hard challenge in the 24th minute.
In the 34th minute, Nkong was knocked down after a tough tackle from Chris Gbandi and had to leave the field. While on the sideline, FC Dallas veteran Oscar Pareja and backup goalkeeper Dario Sala came off the bench to get in Nkong’s face.
“I wear the Rapids’ jersey proudly and I will defend its colors,” Nkong said. “But I need to be intelligent, so I didn’t pay attention to their taunts. I just kept on walking.”
Cullen shines
Leo Cullen credited the Rapids reserve team training for his performance in both legs of the FC Dallas playoff series.
Cullen had not played since July 20 before Clavijo asked him to play in the absence of Nat Borchers (ankle).
Cullen’s primary job was shutting down Nuñez and not crowding Terry Cooke’s space on the wing.
“It’s an adjustment to go to the outside, but with Pablo (Mastroeni), Mike (Petke) and Joe (Cannon) in the back, it makes it a lot easier for someone to step into that spot,” Cullen said.
