Contentious Toronto FC ejection stands

We’ll never know if Jozy Altidore got what he deserved, or if justice was served.

Much the same, we’ll never know if Sacha Kljestan or a group of New York Red Bulls players instigated the brouhaha at BMO Field amid what became one of the ugliest conference semifinals in MLS playoff history.

What we do know, though, is Toronto FC didn’t provide enough evidence to overturn referee Chris Penso’s decision to eject Altidore. The team couldn’t prove Altidore didn’t throw a punch before all hell broke loose at BMO Field.

Toronto FC wouldn’t release any of the spotty footage when Postmedia requested it.

“The burden of proof was on us,” Toronto head coach Greg Vanney said.

In the end, Toronto FC failed to persuade an independent threeperson panel that officials made an error.

Instead, Toronto FC will demand and expect more from a group of players who completely lost the plot in the biggest MLS fixture they’d appeared in since last December.

Altidore didn’t need to get in Tyler Adams’ face that night, and he didn’t need to engage Kljestan before halftime. Likewise, Sebastian Giovinco didn’t need to complain whenever he was touched.

Now both will miss next Tuesday’s playoff match at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

One could argue Toronto FC is fortunate after Victor Vazquez escaped punishment. The normally level-headed Vazquez got angry with Penso after being denied what would have been a series-clinching goal. The Spaniard put a finger to Penso’s face — a no-no during Major League Soccer’s regular season.

But Vazquez appears to have escaped punishment, leaving Toronto FC with at least one key attacking piece to concern the Columbus Crew next Tuesday.