Cyle Larin has been benched due to a DUI arrest and is undergoing assessment by MLS’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. (Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Canadian international and Orlando City SC striker Cyle Larin will be sidelined from action for the foreseeable future as he put his participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in jeopardy in the wake of his DUI arrest Thursday morning.

The 22-year-old scoring terror will undergo an assessment by Major League Soccer’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program doctors, regarding to the SABH Policy.

Larin, who saw 61 minutes of action in Canada’s 2-1 friendly win over Curacao in Montreal Tuesday night, will not be eligible to participate in any competition or team activity, until that assessment is complete. He must be cleared for participation by the SABH Program doctors while MLS completes its investigation. In a statement, the league said that it will remain in close communication with the Orlando City, local law enforcement and the MLS Players Union during the investigation.

In a statement released to the media, Orlando City SC said that it “takes great pride in the way it represents the Orlando community and expects all players, coaches and front office staff to uphold that standard at all times, both on and off the field.”

“The club is very disappointed in Cyle Larin’s actions that resulted in this charge and does not take this situation lightly,” the statement continued. “We are working with local authorities, Major League Soccer and Cyle to take appropriate action in line with league protocol.”

According to WESH2, Larin was stopped around 2:30 a.m. Thursday by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who spotted his Cadillac entering Orange Avenue from the South Ivanhoe Boulevard ramp in the wrong direction, the arrest report said.

As Larin came to a stop, someone driving a Mercedes stopped in time to prevent a head-on crash, according to the arrest report.

According to troopers said Larin’s eyes were “extremely bloodshot and glassy.” The police also reported that there was an “obvious odor of alcoholic beverage omitting from the vehicle.”

Larin, who has scored a team-high eight goals this season (including five game-winners), has feasted on both New York MLS teams, particularly New York City FC.

Orlando City SC was eliminated by Miami FC (North American Soccer League) in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup, 3-1, Wednesday night. Stefano Pinho recorded a natural hat-trick over 25 minutes. Larin was not picked for the squad because of his participation with Canada.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.