After forging a breakout season and with Minnesota United in a key push for the playoffs, forward Mason Toye will miss at least Wednesday's game against the Colorado Rapids after he spit on an opposing player and drew a red card, ousting him from a match Saturday night.
Toye, 20, was ejected from a 5-3 loss to FC Dallas for spitting on Reggie Cannon in stoppage time.
A decision by Major League Soccer on whether he must sit out more games is pending.
United coach Adrian Heath pointed out a 2015 incident with Philadelphia Union's Cristian Maidina as potential precedent. Maidina spat on a player and was suspended for two games.
Toye, who was selected seventh overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, took to Instagram to issue an apology. In it, he said he didn't intentionally spit at Cannon but would face the consequences of his actions.
"I want to apologize to MNUFC, our fans, the MLS, and most importantly Reggie Cannon and FC Dallas," Toye posted on Sunday. "My actions last night were distasteful and inexcusable, and there is no place for it in the game of soccer.
"Although it may not look like it, I had no intention of spitting on any player. However, I did spit and it did hit a player and because of that I will have to face the repercussions. It was a really stupid mistake and one that I will most definitely learn from. Again, I am extremely sorry for my actions and hope for your forgiveness."
After the game, Heath said he and his club "won't condone that type of behavior." On Monday, the coach added the team spoke with the second-year forward about the incident.