<
>

Xavier Kouassi red card that led to Revolution's 6-1 loss rescinded

The red card given to New England Revolution midfielder Xavier Kouassi on Wednesday has been rescinded.

Kouassi was sent off in the 11th minute against Orlando City, which took advantage of the Revs' 10 men by going on to win 6-1.

The red card -- the third in as many road games handed to the Revs -- was given despite a video review, but has now been overturned by an independent panel.

Kouassi was dismissed after catching Seb Hines on the follow-through of a tackle while clearing the ball, and the decision drew criticism from New England earlier in the week.

"If that's the standard of what's going to be a red card in this league, then there's going to be no players left to play the games, because that's a normal soccer play," defender Chris Tierney said. "It's debatable whether that's even a yellow card, or whether that's even a foul.

"I'm not sure how we go forward telling our guys what kind of tackles they can and can't make, because some are being called and some aren't, and it's really difficult to know."

Interim coach Tom Soehn added: "When we talked about adding VAR to this league, we talked about clear and obvious decisions that will only influence games," Soehn said. "I've got a bunch of guys in [the locker room] confused at even what a tackle is anymore. ... It's bad for the game."

Kouassi will be able to play for New England against Atlanta on Saturday, but the defeat to Orlando likely ended the Revs' last hope of making the playoffs.

In other decisions, the MLS disciplinary committee fined the Colorado Rapids Bismark Adjei-Boateng, FC Dallas' Javier Morales, New York Red Bulls' Felipe D.C. United's Lloyd Sam for "instigating and escalating" incidents.

Houston Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera was hit with two fines -- one for his side's second violation of a mass confrontration policy, and another for criticizing officials after Wednesday's 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy.