D.C. United’s president is blaming the team’s U.S. Open Cup loss on the referee, Chris Penso, who issued a straight red to Pablo Hernandez early in the second half. To be fair to United, Penso’s a fourth-official kind of ref right now (where he’s spent 9 of his past 11 professional matches) and he issued three yellows (including one YAC Red) in his only other match as a referee (also in the U.S. Open Cup). No photo of Mr. Penso is available.
Midfielder Zach Pfeffer (US U-17) became the first 15-year old since Freddy Adu to play for an MLS club, making a late appearance in the Philadelphia Union’s victory over Chivas. He’s not expected to see time in any MLS matches this season.
Whitecaps to announce their first MLS head coach today (expected to be their current coach Teitur Thordarson). Not to be outdone, the Timbers will announce their shirt sponsor today.
It’s all not English to me, but from what I can make out another European player, John Arne Riise, is looking to end his career in MLS.