Nov 3, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Hector Herrera (16) reacts after the in the first half against the Seattle Sounders FC in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One match at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Reuters) - Houston Dynamo captain Hector Herrera was sent off for spitting near the feet of the referee during his side's penalty shootout defeat by the Seattle Sounders in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup playoffs.
Houston were reduced to 10 men for the second consecutive game when Herrera was sent off in the 66th minute in Texas, where Seattle won 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw late on Sunday.
While the referee initially did not spot the incident, Herrera was shown a red card after a Video Assistant Referee review, according to U.S. media reports.
The incident occurred after Herrera had received a yellow card for a foul on Seattle defender Jackson Ragen.
The 34-year-old midfielder, capped 105 times for Mexico, has made 82 appearances for the MLS side since joining from LaLiga's Atletico Madrid in 2022.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
