Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes had to briefly shift focus away from his team’s intense Western Conference final against the Portland Timbers on Thursday night to address fans who were throwing trash.
At least two objects were thrown onto the field, prompting the public address announcer to implore fans not to throw anything on the pitch. Play was stopped and players congregated on the sideline, while Vermes marched halfway across the field, bellowing at fans to stop.
“First time we’ve ever experienced that here, and I hope it’s the last,” Vermes said after the game. “I just don’t think that has any place in the game. … I never want us to be known for that so I just went around and I was just telling everybody, ‘Don’t throw anything.'”
One fan who threw beer onto the field was found and arrested, according to Portland Timbers senior content producer Richard Farley.
Vermes said he apologized to Portland’s coaches after the incident.
“There’s a level of professionalism you have in your stadium and I think usually we are incredible,” Vermes said. “But that was a low moment.”
Many fans and spectators praised Vermes for taking a stand by yelling at the fans. Chicago Fire veteran midfielder Dax McCarty even took to social media to condemn those at fault, saying, “I have basically stayed off social media during the playoffs, but I can’t stay silent with what I’m seeing. … Be better.”
I have basically stayed off social media during the playoffs but I can’t stay silent with what Im seeing. Paying money to get into the stadium and being a fan, home or away, does not give you the right to throw sh*t on the field/at the players. Under any circumstances. Be better.
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) November 30, 2018