A panel rescinded the red card given to Atlanta United’s Jake Mulraney in the team’s most recent game, making him eligible for selection for Saturday’s game against New England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Mulraney received a red card in the 74th minute from referee Joseph Dickerson after what appeared to be a clean tackle of Nashville’s Randall Leal.
After the game, the Professional Referee Organization defended Dickerson’s decision, writing, “Jake Mulraney committed a foul by tackling the opponent, denying him an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
“The VAR checked the incident and did not identify a clear and obvious error.”
The team appealed the decision to a panel, composed of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, one representative from the Canadian Soccer Association and one independent representative nominated by the Professional Referee Organization, which overruled Dickerson.
Each club is entitled to two unsuccessful appeals per season. Because the team’s appeal was successful, the club maintains its two unsuccessful appeals.
Mulraney’s return is important because the team will play without several players Saturday because of injuries, call-ups to national teams or yellow-card accumulation.
Those missing will be starting goalkeeper Brad Guzan (call-up), centerback Miles Robinson (call-up), fullback George Bello (call-up) and midfielders Ezequiel Barco (call-up), Emerson Hyndman (injury), Franco Ibarra (injury) and Santiago Sosa (yellow cards).
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