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We’ll always have the video: Van Damme suspension remains after MLS review

Jelle Van Damme

LA Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme (37) walks off the field after receiving a red card as Portland Timbers midfielder David Guzman (20) is treated on the field in the first half of an MLS soccer game in Carson, Calif., Sunday, March 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

AP

Dives from David Guzman and Diego Chara gave us a hilarious video, some heat for the LA Galaxy media team, and Jelle van Damme a red card, but the league repercussions will be minimal for the Timbers pair.

Van Damme’s suspension remains for his pair of yellows against Portland, although Chara has been fined for embellishing before the first offense -- given to Van Damme for dissent toward Toledo -- and Guzman hurt his ankle doing the same on the second.

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If you think that doesn’t make much sense, you have company in Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo.

From LAGalaxy.com:

“It was clear that he didn’t make contact with either of them,” Onalfo told reporters. “It’s unfortunate, but he didn’t make contact. It was crystal clear on the replay, but it’s unfortunate.”

The only argument for punishment is to stand with referee Baldomero Toledo’s post-match account that Van Damme’s tackle interfered with the flow of play even if he didn’t make contact with Guzman (an argument that is pretty self-protective from a longtime MLS ref).

We can’t help but look at the photo above and think Toledo had a bit of ire in his mind for Van Damme. Shoulder-shrug emoji, we guess.

Follow @NicholasMendola