USMNT defender Matt Miazga banned! FC Cincinnati star and MLS Defender of the Year handed three-match suspension after raiding referees' room

Just over 72 hours prior to their Eastern Conference final match against Columbus Crew in the MLS playoffs, Miazga was handed the suspension over misconduct from November 4. After the Orange and Blue's playoff win over the New York Red Bulls, the USMNT defender confronted the referees postgame over a controversial yellow card that was handed his way. The caution, which was his second of the match, came during a penalty shootout - meaning it was not a sending off, but rather an accumulation suspension - that upset the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year.

Miazga's choice to confront the referees was immediately a regrettable decision, considering he's now out of the MLS playoffs entirely. The USMNT defender, who led the club to their first-ever MLS Supporters' Shield during the regular season, will now have to watch from the sidelines as Cincy look to win their first-ever MLS Cup. On the contrary, however, MLS had over three weeks to investigate the decision and the choice to reveal the findings just three days before the Conference Finals must leave boss Pat Noonan fuming. Now, the FC Cincy boss may have to go about planning to change things up on short notice.

Miazga was transferred to Chelsea FC of the English Premier League in 2016, but failed to break into the European heavyweights team during his time there. He was subsequently sent on loan for nearly his entire time abroad, which totaled over six years.

The Orange and Blue will have to go about planning for their Saturday playoff match against the Columbus Crew without their star defender. The contest sees an MLS rivalry in the Hell is Real derby take center stage, with the winner heading to MLS Cup and the loser going home. For Miazga, though, it's a losing situation regardless of the result of the match.