MLS suspends injured Ridgewell for missing All-Star Game

Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell has been issued a one-game suspension from MLS for missing the All-Star Game because of a calf injury he suffered against the LA Galaxy last weekend.

The decision falls in line with a new mandate from the league which states that players who skip the All-Star Game due to injury must also miss their team's next league match, in an effort to prevent players from feigning injury in order to skip the exhibition match entirely.

But it's a rule-change that drew the ire of Timbers head coach Caleb Porter.

"He wants to play in the All-Star Game," Porter said, of Ridgewell, according to The Oregonian. "We want him to play in the All-Star Game. He had six tickets booked for his family to go, but he can't play in the All-Star Game. I can't understand how that rule works or how that's fair.

"I didn't frankly even know it was a rule. It was something that was passed and not really communicated. Ultimately, we will continue to do what we can do, and that's try to get our player healthy. We can't put him in harm's way by forcing him into the All-Star Game to risk further injury."

As it stands, Ridgewell will be ineligible to play against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, even if he returns to full fitness in time for the match.