October 6, 2012
MLS RULES
Yellow cards won't be carried over to playoffs

By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor

Joel Lindpere is in yellow peril. In other words, the next yellow card he receives in the Red Bulls final three regular-season matches will mean he will be suspended from the next match.

Or will he?

During an interview with Joel Lindpere on Thursday, the Red Bulls left-sided midfielder asked BigAppleSoccer.com whether he would have to sit out the opening game of the Major League Soccer playoffs -- assuming the Red Bulls qualify -- if he incurred a yellow card in the Red Bulls' final regular season game at Philadelphia on Oct. 27.

Good question.

Given that MLS rules and regulations have changed from year to year, we asked league officials as to whether Lindpere would have to sit out the first game of the playoffs if he did receive a yellow vs. Philly.

No he won't.

Acccording to the league, yellow-card accumulation will be cleared when the playoffs kickoff and Lindpere or any other player, for that matter, would be eligible to play.

But if Lindpere or any other player received a red card vs. Philly, he would be suspended for that first playoff encounter, the league said.

Red Bulls rookie midfielder-defender Connor Lade also is in yellow peril.