Dynamo's Kinnear a casualty of melee as MLS issues 1-match ban

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Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear, one of Major League Soccer's most decorated leaders, was suspended for the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals because he stepped out of his technical area while trying to calm his players during a confrontation with the Montreal Impact in the knockout round Thursday.

Kinnear left his coaching area in the 89th minute when an altercation erupted immediately after the Montreal Impact's Andres Romero kicked fallen Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie from behind in the Dynamo's 3-0 victory at BBVA Compass Stadium.

In the ensuing melee, Montreal's Marco Di Vaio slapped and scratched Dynamo defender Corey Ashe as several players from both sides shoved each other before Bobby Boswell grabbed Ashe and pulled him away.

"All I can say is that I broke a rule," Kinnear said Friday. "I'm being punished for it. I respect the league, accept the decision and I felt like I was acting in the best interest of our team at that particular time."

MLS doesn't allow coaches to appeal suspensions, so Kinnear had no recourse. Dynamo goalkeepers coach Tim Hanley usually takes the lead in Kinnear's absence.

Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear pointed to keeper Tally Hall's save on Landon Donovan's penalty kick as the turning point in the team's 1-0 win Sunday night. Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear pointed to keeper Tally Hall's save on Landon Donovan's penalty kick as the turning point in the team's 1-0 win Sunday night. Photo: Mark J. Terrill, STF Photo: Mark J. Terrill, STF Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Dynamo's Kinnear a casualty of melee as MLS issues 1-match ban 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

Romero and Di Vaio drew red cards for their actions and were sent off. They both drew three-game suspensions Friday from MLS.

Impact hit hardest

Di Vaio and Romero were suspended "for violent conduct which endangered the safety of their respective opponents during the October 31 MLS Cup Playoff Game against the Houston Dynamo," MLS said in a statement. "Along with his automatic one-game suspension, Di Vaio is suspended two additional games and fined an extra $1,000.

"He will begin serving the suspension with the first regular season game of the 2014 season. Romero, who also received a red card and an automatic one-game suspension for committing an act of violent conduct against his opponent, is suspended an additional two games and fined an additional $250. He also will begin serving the suspension with the first regular season game of the 2014 season."

No Dynamo player was suspended for the altercation. Kinnear must serve his suspension Sunday in the pivotal opener of the home-and-away semifinal against the top-seeded New York Red Bulls at BBVA Compass Stadium.

"This is a very unfortunate and frustrating situation," Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. "I know that Dom had only good intentions in his actions and did not knowingly enter the field of play.

"I'm certain that, despite not being on the sideline, he will have his team and staff 100 percent prepared for the match."

Kinnear has led the Dynamo to the last two Eastern Conference titles. In eight years with the Dynamo, he has reached the playoffs seven times, won two MLS Cup titles and reached four finals.

"I was a long way away from the incident, but it looked like Dom had stepped in to bring Dynamo players out of the mix," Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall said. "I did not see any interaction with the opposing team, so therefore I do not agree with the decision to suspend (Kinnear). It's unfortunate the Dynamo are being punished for such a shameful act by some Montreal players."

Kinnear is considered one of the best coaches in MLS at having his team ready for the postseason, and some argue he's the reason the Dynamo have enjoyed so much success in the playoffs.

Kinnear, meanwhile, dismisses such talk.

"I don't play. I don't play," he said after Friday's practice when asked about his playoff success.

Now, he won't coach Sunday.

Peacemaker punished

"Definitely don't agree with it," Dynamo captain Brad Davis said. "He's just there trying to go get our guys to keep their cool."

The Dynamo and Impact were fined for violating MLS' mass confrontation policy, but the Impact drew a $25,000 fine and Montreal coach Marco Schällibaum was fined $2,500 for "repeated mass confrontation violations in 2013." The Dynamo were fined only $2,500 as first-time offenders in 2013.

"It (stinks)," Boswell said. "He's our leader. I understand it's the rule of the league, but I just think he was doing what he thought was right in trying to stand up for his guys and keep them out of trouble.

"I'm sure the guys will rally around it, though. We're really going to have kind of the chips stacked against us, but if there's a team that's good at fighting with their backs against the wall, it's us. We'll persevere. We're tough. We're going to get the job done even if he's watching in the box."