Crew SC will take the field against Toronto FC on Wednesday night at Mapfre Stadium, and for the first time since 2013, coach Gregg Berhalter won’t be on the sideline.

Berhalter was ejected in the 78th minute of the Crew’s 2-0 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday. It was his first time being sent off as a coach and came a minute after forward Niko Hansen was clotheslined by New England’s Je-Vaughn Watson.

Believing Watson should have been sent off instead of cautioned, Berhalter became irate and was ejected. He pleaded his case to fourth referee Fotis Bazakos, assistant referee Peter Manikowski and referee Mark Geiger before walking off and giving fans one final fist pump.

Berhalter said Saturday he was told he was ejected for entering the field of play and kicking the ball onto the field. Geiger’s response to a pool reporter only included mention of Berhalter kicking the ball in protest as reason for his being dismissed for “inappropriate behavior.”

Coach dismissals come with a one-game suspension, according to league rules, and Berhalter said Monday he won’t appeal.

“I don’t know what good that would do. You know, I think that the referees have their point of view and they made it clear to me and they said my behavior was inappropriate, and they ejected me and I have to live with it,” Berhalter said. “I don’t think it was correct, I don’t agree with it, but they made a decision.”

Berhalter’s suspension means more responsibility for assistants Josh Wolff, Pat Onstad and Nico Estevez on Wednesday. Wolff has been on Berhalter’s staff since November 2013. Onstad was hired in January 2014. Estevez, promoted from Crew SC Academy director of methodology to first team assistant coach in January, spent two seasons as a head coach in Spain’s third division.

Berhalter didn't specify which assistant would have the final say in decisions Wednesday, but said he has confidence in them because of their experience.

“It’s about the team, it’s about our performance and we’ll be fine,” Berhalter said. “Nico has been a head coach for a long time, he has more experience than I do. Josh is gonna be a great head coach and Pat has 45 years of playing experience, so those guys will be fine.”

Berhalter said he apologized to his team after Saturday’s game, but reiterated his displeasure with a play he said “doesn’t belong in soccer.”

Major League Soccer rules prevent Berhalter from communicating with his team during Wednesday’s game. The grandstands, stadium tunnel and field level are off limits, but he will be permitted to watch from a stadium suite or a “VIP area.”

“Obviously this is all new to me, so I’m going to have to figure out where I go,” Berhalter said. “Maybe I’ll stay home in my living room and watch from there.”

aerickson@dispatch.com

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