MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

Patrick Vieira and Maxime Chanot were both red carded after the final whistle of New York City FC’s draw with Columbus Crew SC.

Referee Sorin Stoica reported that Vieira and Chanot swore at him after the match ended. Vieira denied this speaking to WADO’s Roberto Abramowitz and will immediately appeal. As it stands, both will be suspended for NYCFC’s match next Saturday against LA Galaxy.

Both Vieira and Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter said they were disappointed with referee Sorin Stoica’s performance during the match. Stoica called penalties against both sides late and called nearly twice as many fouls on NYCFC than Crew SC.

Vieira said Stoica had to make difficult decisions during a competitive match, adding, “But, of course you’re frustrated and I’m frustrated because when you score the goals and there are just three minutes to go it is difficult to concede the game like that and the goal at the end. Talking about the referee or myself or other teams, I think when you look at the game overall it was a really good game.”

Berhalter was less diplomatic saying he thought Stoica was too involved in the match. He did not point to any particular incident during the match. The NYCFC squad praised Crew SC for their play throughout the match but were disappointed to come away with only a point.

“I think we were a little bit frustrated,” Thomas McNamara said. “I don’t think we played as well as we would have liked or could have. Credit to Columbus, they made it difficult on us, but I’m proud of the resiliency the team showed. To come back from giving up goals to get back into the game and take a lead … just unfortunate at the end.”