CARSON, Calif. – Sean Franklin is well-aware that he deserved a yellow card for a challenge on Chivas USA Josue Soto in the first half of Sunday's 1-1 SuperClasico draw, but the Galaxy defender insists that there was no malice in the challenge.
In an interview with LA Galaxy Insider, Franklin described the play and admitted that he had no malicious intent with his foul that saw referee Ricardo Salazar issue a yellow card to the right midfielder.
“I spoke to Bruce a little bit about it’ and he said ‘[Disciplinary Committee] are kind of looking at it, but it seems that you made a play for the ball and went through the guy,’’ said Franklin. “Everyone knows me; I’m not that kind of player to just be dirty. The ball kind of checked up and he didn’t go for it. As soon as I committed my foot up that’s when he leaned in. I did hit his chest and deservedly it was a yellow card, some might say a red, but my intention was not to be malicious and just kick the guy.”
The exact verbiage from the league’s Disciplinary Summary when it comes to issuing a suspension is as follows: The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the Committee from all available video evidence, a clear and unequivocal red card; And the play in question is of an egregious or reckless nature, such that the Committee must act to protect player safety or the integrity or the game.
Last year, the Galaxy had two players suspended by the Disciplinary Committee for actions in which they were shown a yellow. Michael Stephens had a yellow card caution turned into one-game suspension during a May 26 match against the Houston Dynamo while Magee was given a one-game suspension for throwing the ball at a referee in the same match.
The Disciplinary Committee also added games for Hector Jimenez’s red card offense during a May 23rd against the San Jose Earthquakes and David Beckham for actions during a June 30th game also against San Jose. Beckham missed a July 4 match against the Philadelphia Union with yellow card accumulation due to the foul and saw himself suspended for the following match against the Chicago Fire on July 8.
Interestingly enough, Magee, Jimenez, and Stephens’ suspensions coincided and all three were unavailable for June 17 game against Portland Timbers, a match that ended in a 1-0 Galaxy victory.
Any decision remains out of Franklin's hands, but currently the right back is focused on Saturday's match against the Colorado Rapids.
"I'm assuming with Omar [Gonzalez] being out, I can imagine A.J.[DeLaGarza] and Leonardo being in there [at central defense] and myself at right back and Todd [Dunivant] at left back," said Franklin. "I don't think much will change, but we'll see how this week goes and we'll see what Bruce's plan is for this week's game against Colorado."
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