Howard blasts league, Rapids after suspension
DENVER >> Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard blasted his team and Major League Soccer on Friday, asking for heightened security in light of his verbal altercation with a fan that resulted in his threegame suspension.
Howard was suspended and fined an undisclosed amount last week for profane language toward a fan during a game against Sporting Kansas City and an altercation with a fan following the match, which Colorado lost 3-1.
The longtime U.S. national team star, who played with Manchester United and Everton in the English Premier League, tweeted a link to a Facebook post on Friday that began: “I want to begin by saying I am genuinely sorry for my behavior in Kansas City and I want to apologize to my fans. I let myself get too worked up after being provoked and said some things I shouldn’t have. I am at fault and certainly not a victim in this incident.”
However, Howard, continued, “after reviewing the incident in Kansas City, my league and my team chose to admonish me and suspend me for almost 10 percent of the season, but they did not say a word about the fan’s antagonistic behavior or the negligent security.”
Neither the Rapids nor MLS immediately responded to messages seeking reaction to Howard’s post.
Howard said he regrets his reaction and understands the need to admonish him, but “I am surprised and concerned that the full context of the incident wasn’t considered and responsibility wasn’t shared.”
“We all want passionate fans but there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed,” Howard wrote. “It is not OK for an apparently drunk fan to get inches away from an athlete’s face and yell obscenities at them. While I should have controlled my reaction, I want to make it clear that I have never been put into a situation like that until Kansas City.”
Howard said he doesn’t know how the fan was allowed to get so close to him but “it was not the norm and not right.”
He said he’s not calling for censorship of fans or “security policing against passion,” but “we all deserve a fan-friendly and safe environment.”
Friday’s Game
TORONTO FC 3, CHICAGO 1 >> Sebastian Giovinco scored twice and Toronto FC defeated Chicago, handing German star Bastian Schweinsteiger his first loss in Major League Soccer.
Giovinco upped his season goal total to three, punctuating the victory with a free kick to the top corner in the 82nd minute.
A goal away from a hat trick, he was not happy to be taken off in the 84th minute, slapping a stanchion as he headed to the dressing room.
Eriq Zavaleta also scored for Toronto (2-1-4) while Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez notched his fourth assist of the season.
Substitute David Accam scored for Chicago in the 88th minute. It was the Fire’s only shot on target.