FOXBOROUGH, MA– Major League Soccer has announced that New England Revolution Head Coach Caleb Porter has been fined for public criticism.
Major League Soccer did not disclose the amount of the fine.
March 7, 2024; Head Coach Caleb Porter walks across the pitch ahead of a Concacaf Champions Cup game between the New England Revolution and L.D. Alajuelense at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.
The fine relates to Caleb Porter’s comments following New England’s match against Chicago Fire on March 23.
Following the 1-1 draw, Porter focused majority of his 10-minute post-game press conference voicing his complaints at center official Kyle Johnston and his crew.
Replacement Referee Kyle Johnston looks to restart play in an MLS match between the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
The Blazing Musket provided the following video showcasing some of Porter’s complaints.
“For me, when I look at the five games, it’s not been good enough. We haven’t received one big call, and we had a lot of calls against us, and I think today was another day like that and I’m a bit tired of it, to be honest with you,” Porter said.
“And I think it’s just a lack of respect, and especially when Carles was in on a break for us to score what I believe to be the game-winning goal, and he’s one of the best players in the league, and the guy just kills the play and at a minimum it’s a foul — in my view it’s a foul and a yellow card because he’s killing the play and the referee doesn’t even call a foul. I don’t know how that happens. It’s just shocking. And then they have the exact same play on the other sideline and the linesman raises his flag and it’s actually a lot softer, that call, than the one on our side.”
“When we have both coaches livid and all the players, 22 players livid, you know that’s a poor game by the official,” Porter said.
Revolution Head Coach Caleb Porter looks towards his bench prior to an MLS match between the New England Revolution and Toronto FC. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
As stated in the video, Caleb Porter had noted that Major League Soccer teams were instructed not to comment about the replacement officials.
“They don’t let us talk to them. When we do, we get fined or we get warned or reprimanded,” Porter said. “We can’t say anything to them. I’ll probably be fined for even mentioning it right now, but I don’t care because I got to protect my team, and something needs to be done about it. Again, I’m not making excuses, but can you guys (the media) recall one call that we’ve gotten in the five games? and how many on the other side?”
Major League Soccer had been using replacement officials since the start of the season as there was a lockout regarding their collective bargaining agreement. On Tuesday, ESPN journalist Jeff Carlisle had announced that the MLS referee lockout had ended.
Just 7 hours later, PRO and the PSRA shortly after announced that they had come to a seven-year labor contract, ending the lockout after 37 days.
ESPN’s report stated that 69 games were ran by replacement officials.
PRO replacement Referee Kyle Johnston leaves the field following an MLS match between the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
Following a review, Major League Soccer found that the comments made by Head Coach Caleb Porter were in violation of the league’s public criticism policy.
The MLS competition public criticism policy states: “public criticism” is “conduct that is detrimental to the public image and reputation of MLS and/or the club. Such behavior is subject to discipline by the commissioner or his designee.”
So far this season, Porter joins LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo ($10,000) as MLS coaches fined by Major League Soccer.
New England Revolution logo. Image Courtesy of Major League Soccer.
For Concacaf Champions Cup play, the New England Revolution (0-1-4, 1 pts.) will face Club América in leg 1 of their Concacaf Champions Cup Clash in Foxboro, MA on Tuesday, April 2nd. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 9:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
For MLS play, the New England Revolution (0-1-4, 1 pts.) remain in Foxboro, MA as they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side Charlotte FC (2-1-2, 7 pts.) on Saturday, April 6th. The match kicks off in Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe’s photos, click on the link)
