Homophobic chants cut key match short
LAS VEGAS — The United States men's soccer team's match against Mexico was cut short Thursday night by the referee after repeated homophobic chants could be heard from fans.
Four players were ejected in the game, which the U.S. won 3-0 for a spot Sunday in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada.
Christian Pulisic scored two goals and Ricardo Pepi scored one in a strong showing, but this game will be remembered much more for the ugliness.
Play was halted in the 90th minute because of the homophobic chants. When action resumed, 12 minutes of stoppage time were signaled but resumed chants caused Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to end the match in the eighth added minute.
FIFA fined Mexico $108,000 in January for anti-gay chants by fans at two games.
Americans Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest were ejected by Barton along with Mexicans César Montes and Gerardo Arteaga during the testy second half.
“In terms of the chant, I want to make it very clear first and foremost, for our beliefs and our culture, it has no place in the game, interm coach B.J. Callaghan said. “It has no place in our value system.”
As Callaghan coached the game on an interim basis, news broke that Gregg Berhalter had agreed to return as U.S. national team coach after being cleared in a domestic violence investigation. The U.S. Soccer Federation has since announced that Berhalter agreed to coach the team through the 2026 World Cup. He won't take over until after CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Pulisic, the top American player, said last week the USSF should consider bringing Berhalter back.
After their ejections, McKennie and Dest are suspended for the final.