Alan Pulido headbutt Yerson Mosquera in the 2023 Leagues Cup clash between MLS sides, Cincinnati FC and Sporting Kansas City in Ohio
The two clubs went head to head in a tight and dragging encounter at the TQL Stadium in Ohio.
Despite playing away from home, Sporting Kansas City scurried to a deserved early 2-0 lead and were enroute to victory before the game took a drastic turn.
Cincinnati’s Hagglund own goal in the 9th minute gave Kansas City the lead. Rosero’s 12th minute strike doubled the lead for the visitors before a rough challenge between Mexican striker, Alan Pulido, 32, and Wolves and Premier League loanee to Cincinnati FC, Yerson Mosquera, turned the game on its head.
With Kansas City leading by two unreplied goals, the match took a frantic pace with Cincinnati FC pulling all strings to make a quick comeback.
In the 30th minute, a sublime challenge by Mosquera saw the Cincinnati FC player dispossessed Pulido of the ball.
Pulido quickly fought back trying to win the ball from Mosquera before the two players plunge into a wild challenge that saw them crumple to the ground.
Furiously struggling to free himself from Pulido while on the ground, Mosquera used his arm to shove Pulido before the latter got angry and headbutt him in the face back to the ground.
Pulido’s violent response triggered tensions as players from both sides immediately rushed to the scene and gathered the two quarreling players.
Center referee, Daniel Qunitero, wasted no time dishing out a straight red card to Pulido for the violent response.
Kansas City were reduced to 10-men and the one-man disadvantage took an immediate toll on the game as Cincinnati FC immediately put one back to enliven hopes of a comeback after an own goal from Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
In the 56th minute, Cincinnati level the scores with Brandon Vazquez with the second goal for the home side but Kansas City were able to fight back into the lead again despite playing with one man down.
Gadi Kinda scored for the visitors to make it 3-2. Kansas City nearly ran out with a win holding onto the lead till the last minute before Cincinnati level the scores again in stoppage-time. Acosta converted a spotkick to salvage a draw for the home side after the final whistle.
The match went into penalties with Cincinnati FC running away with a 4-2 victory after surviving a nightmare goal haul by the visitors. Thanks to Pulido’s first half red card which saw the visitors muddle for an hour through the game with 10 men.
Pulido joined Kansas City since 2020 and has been an integral member of the squad. The Mexican striker will now miss Kansas City next fixture against Chivas due to the red card but will return in subsequent matches for the club.
