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Yamil Asad is evaluated by an Atlanta trainer after taking a ball to the face in the first half of a game between the Portland Timbers and Atlanta United on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Providence Park.

(Sean Meagher/Staff)

Questions about Major League Soccer's concussion protocol arose Sunday during a match between the Portland Timbers and Atlanta United after Atlanta's Yamil Asad was allowed to return to play shortly after being hit in the face with a ball.

The scary incident occurred in the first half when Timbers defender Alvas Powell kicked a ball from close-range right into Asad's face while trying to make a clearance. Asad immediately fell flat to the ground and did not make any move to brace himself during the fall, which raises the question of whether or not he lost consciousness and made the incident appear particularly concerning.

But after briefly being evaluated by the Atlanta medical staff and Timbers team doctor Jonathan E. Greenleaf, M.D., Asad was allowed to return to the game.

The decision to allow Asad back into the match so quickly clearly upset Greenleaf, who continued to animatedly discuss the situation with the fourth official and the Atlanta medical staff as play continued. Referee Alan Kelly at one point stopped play again to check on Asad, but Asad was ultimately allowed to continue and played 90 minutes in the game.

The handling of the incident drew criticism from analysts and supporters.

ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, an advocate for concussion awareness whose own professional soccer career was cut short by concussions, wrote in a Tweet that the incident was an example of Atlanta United "ignorantly mishandling the head injury/concussion protocol."

Just watching the Asad injury in #PORvATL & it's as simple as @ATLUTD ignorantly mishandling the head injury/concussion protocol. #MLS — Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 14, 2017

Until @MLS holds their franchises accountable when they blatantly ignore the concussion protocol then serious progress can't be made. https://t.co/kgNc0kP1LQ — Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 14, 2017

When asked by the pool reporter after the game why Asad was allowed to return to play, Kelly said that the "Atlanta medical staff determined after check that he was fit to play," adding that referees do not make medical decisions.

Atlanta coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said that it was not Asad's decision to go back into the game, but something that was allowed by the fourth official. He said he was certainly concerned with Asad's well-being.

"We've proven it all season, especially with (Jeff) Larentowicz, that we look out for the best interest of our players and make sure they are protected," he said through an interpreter.

MLS did not immediately respond to the Oregonian/OregonLive's request for comment regarding the incident.

Under MLS concussion protocol, players that suffer possible concussions must be removed from the game and assessed for a concussion on the sideline. Players are not supposed to return to the match if medical personnel believe after the test that they have indeed suffered a concussion.

In a tweet, Twellman said incidents like the one that occurred in Sunday's game need to be taken more seriously and addressed by the league. He called on MLS to hold clubs accountable when concussion protocol is ignored.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg