Wasatch Soccer Sentinel
On July 15th, MLS announced that RSL forward and club captain Chicho Arango would be suspended for four games for violation of the league’s anti-harassment policy. Chicho was suspended for two MLS matches against Los Angeles FC and the Colorado Rapids, the Leagues Cup match against Atlas, and the MLS All-Star game.
During this span without Chicho, RSL has acquired a solitary point in a draw against LAFC in MLS play. RSL lost some ground in the Western Conference and dropped down to third, though they have a game in hand on LAFC. In what has become a recurring theme for RSL, a summer swoon is dangerously close to derailing what had become high expectations.
In anticipation of Chicho returning to the line-up as early as the August 24th match against San Jose, there are two things to consider. One, Chicho let down the fans and the club by getting suspended. This is doubly true as the club captain, who is supposed to be setting an example. Two, RSL’s silence about the suspension is worrying.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, and before you go looking to see if someone finally knows the reason why Chicho was suspended, I can stop you now. No, it’s still not public knowledge why Chicho was suspended for four games. I do not know why Chicho was suspended either. I understand that will make some people say, “how can we be let down if we don’t even know what Chicho did wrong?,” and to that I say: exactly. That is exactly the point.
