Alessandro Nesta gets first ever MLS red card for headbutting opponent
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Montreal Impact overcame Alessandro Nesta's first ever red card in the Major League Soccer to beat Sporting KC 2-1 on Saturday.
Sporting KC took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Claudio Bieler converted a penalty after he was dragged down by Nesta at the edge of the box.
But in just eight minutes after the restart, Montreal got goals from Sanna Nyassi and Collen Warner to put them ahead.
Nesta then turned apoplectic after he and Bieler got tangled up as they fought for the ball in the 73rd minute.
The veteran defender stepped out of defence to win possession midway through the Montreal half, but after making his interception the Italian was tripped up by Bieler from behind.
Bieler caught Nesta while he was on the ground, prompting the 37-year-old to quickly pop back up and try to headbutt his opponent.
The referee had little choice but to produce the red card, and that was the end of the night for one of the best centre backs to have ever played the game.
Despite the sending off, Montreal still held on for a 2-1 victory that moved them into first place in the MLS East division.
"Obviously emotions run high and I'm sure they got the better of him (Nesta) at that moment," said Montreal assistant coach Mauro Biello.
"The ref made his call and he got a red card, and I guess his emotions ran to far."
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| Montreal Impact defender Alessandro Nesta reacts as he is ejected from the game against Sporting KC Photo: Kansas City Star |
Sporting KC took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Claudio Bieler converted a penalty after he was dragged down by Nesta at the edge of the box.
But in just eight minutes after the restart, Montreal got goals from Sanna Nyassi and Collen Warner to put them ahead.
Nesta then turned apoplectic after he and Bieler got tangled up as they fought for the ball in the 73rd minute.
The veteran defender stepped out of defence to win possession midway through the Montreal half, but after making his interception the Italian was tripped up by Bieler from behind.
Bieler caught Nesta while he was on the ground, prompting the 37-year-old to quickly pop back up and try to headbutt his opponent.
The referee had little choice but to produce the red card, and that was the end of the night for one of the best centre backs to have ever played the game.
Despite the sending off, Montreal still held on for a 2-1 victory that moved them into first place in the MLS East division.
"Obviously emotions run high and I'm sure they got the better of him (Nesta) at that moment," said Montreal assistant coach Mauro Biello.
"The ref made his call and he got a red card, and I guess his emotions ran to far."
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