Gary Mackay-Steven is tackled by Pablo Arboine. (Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

HARRISON, N.J. — If one thing was evident during New York City FC’s victory over AD San Carlos on Wednesday, it was the passion shown by head coach Ronny Deila during a sideline skirmish.

He takes his soccer seriously and he protects his players as well.

Translated: do not make a wild tackle of any of his players, especially in front of the team bench.

Case in point: In the 81st minute of the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 encounter at Red Bull Arena, San Carlos defender Pablo Arboine tackled an onrushing Gary Mackay-Steven in front of the NYCFC bench.

An incensed Deila shoved Arboine and said something to the offending player as well. Both benches emptied on the sideline, but nothing more transpired.

Arboine and Deila received yellow cards.

Deila admitted what transpired was out of character for him.

“I overreacted a little of course,” he said. “I reacted because of the tackle. It was three, four seconds too late. It was for me, my instinct. I wanted to protect my player. I was scared that he would get injured.

“I calmed down quite quick. It was a little bit South American emotion there. But again, maybe I overreacted a little bit. It was good to have some energy out there.”

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.