Thu May 8 16:07:59 2008

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RSL's Kreis suspended, fined for comments after L.A. game

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee suspended Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis one game and fined him $1,000 for public criticism of MLS officiating after his team's 2-2 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy this past weekend.

Kreis' made comments, which appeared in the Deseret Morning News on Tuesday, after his team blew a 2-0 lead and was forced to share points with the Galaxy.

Below are samples of what Kreis said to the Utah paper:

"After three successive weeks of game-changing decisions, it's time we vent a little bit and put things right. I have a team doing their best to reward fans through a frustrating time and a frustrating few years. I feel the players are doing what they need to, the coaching staff is doing what they do, but being wronged by critical referee decisions is unacceptable.

"It's about time they start first off trying to be right, and then being fair. It's too many game-breaking calls, all of them against Real Salt Lake.

"Inconsistency is when it goes one way one week and another the next week. (Decisions) are consistently going against us."

The one-game suspension will be served on Saturday when RSL hosts FC Dallas. Kries may enter his team's locker room prior to and during half-time as well post-game. He may not, however, appear on field level or in the press box or grandstands at any time on Saturday. The only place Kreis can watch the game in the stadium is in a private suite or team-provided reserved section.