Dru Yearwood will be eligible to play in the MLS Cup Playoffs. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

The other foot dropped on Dru Yearwood on Friday morning, after using one of his feet to kick a ball into the stands last Saturday.

Major League Soccer Friday tacked on three games to Yearwood’s red-card suspension for blasting a ball into the Red Bull Arena sideline seats in stoppage time of the Red Bulls’ 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union.

Yearwood, who kicked the ball in frustration and hit a spectator, will miss the Red Bulls’ final four regular season matches.

He also was issued an undisclosed fine.

Yearwood was remorseful in his response the extended suspension on Twitter on Friday morning.

“I fully accept the suspension from MLS and I can ensure it won’t happen again,” he said. “I want to sincerely apologize again.

“Please know that I will continue to work hard to be ready to give my all for this football club when I am again able to contribute on the field.”

The Red Bulls did not have an immediate statement on the additional ban.

So, the midfielder can’t play in the Red Bulls’ remaining four regular season games. That includes contests against the New England Revolution on Saturday, New York City FC on Sept. 17, the Columbus Crew on Oct. 1 and Charlotte FC on Decision Day, Oct. 9.

On Sunday, Yearwood apologized for his actions on Twitter.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

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.”

Yearwood was the second Red Bulls midfielder in three years to serve a lengthy suspension for a ball-kicking incident.

In 2019, former Red Bull Kaku was slapped with a three-game ban for what was termed by the league “reckless conduct” for smashing a ball into the stands at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. He was red carded and and then two additional matches were added by MLS.

 

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.