Union midfielder Jack McGlynn (16) battles New York Red Bulls midfielder Dru Yearwood (16) for the ball during the first half. *Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Red Bulls midfielder Dru Yearwood issued a public apology to the fans who were struck by a ball he kicked into the stands in stoppage time of the 2-0 home loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

Yearwood booted the ball in frustration and hit several Red Bulls supporters. He was awarded a red card for his actions.

“I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart to the fans who were hit by the ball I kicked at Saturday’s match,” Yearwood said on Twitter.

“My emotions got the best of me on this, and I’ve let down the entire organization and every single New York Red Bulls fan.

“I hope the fans are OK and that they can forgive me.”

Immediately after kicking the ball, Yearwood realized what he had done and jumped into the Red Bull Arena stands to apologize to the spectators. He was shooed away by at least one Red Bull fan, who was wearing a team scarf.

Yearwood will receive at least a one-game suspension from MLS for the red card. He could receive more for striking spectators.

This was the second incident within three years in which a Red Bulls player kicked the ball into the stands that hit spectators. In 2019, former New York midfielder Kaku had a similar incident at Sporting Kansas City. He was suspended for two additional games for a total of a three-match ban.

The MLS disciplinary committee is expected to rule on Yearwood sometime this week.

About Saturday’s incident, the Red Bulls said on Twitter: “The safety of everyone that attends our events at Red Bull Arena is of utmost importance to our organization.

“Dru is incredibly remorseful and knows his actions were inexcusable. We will take measures to discourage this from occurring again.

“We, along with Dru, will continue to stay in contact with the families to check on their well-being.”

The Red Bulls play the New England Revolution next week.

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.