Gutierrez released back to Sporting KC

When Sporting Kansas City’s Felipe Gutierrez was called up by Chile for a pair of international friendlies against Argentina and Honduras, it meant he would not only miss the Portland Timbers match on September 7th but he would also miss the game against the LA Galaxy on the 15th as well.

Gutierrez had picked up a yellow in the 47th minute of Sporting KC’s win over the Houston Dynamo when a bad pass from a team mate forced him to quickly foul to prevent a one-on-one breakaway on Tim Melia.

That yellow put Gutierrez over the limit and he was going to be suspended for his next Sporting KC game. Gutierrez could not serve that suspension while he was with Chile. A player has to be available to play in order to serve a suspension.

The MLS rule:

GAME SUSPENSION MANIPULATION: Players suspended from MLS Regular Season and postseason games that are called in for National Team duty will have their suspension(s) held in abeyance until they return from the full completion of their international duty.

Gutierrez was on the bench for Chile’s scoreless draw with Argentina but was officially released Friday at the request of Sporting KC so he is now suspended for Saturday. So he is still unavailable for Sporting KC but the good news is will be available for the next game.