Clint Dempsey suspended minimum of 2 years from U.S. Open Cup for ripping referee's notebook

Clint Dempsey has been reprimanded for his hilarious but out-of-line outburst against a referee in Seattle's U.S. Open Cup match against Portland earlier this month.

Dempsey was shown a red card in the contest for ripping up the referee's notebook after a teammate was sent off. He's now been hit with a U.S. Open Cup suspension that will last either two years, or six matches - whichever is longer, depending on how the Sounders perform in the competition in the coming seasons.

Related: VIDEO - Clint Dempsey tears referee's notebook during loss

The 32-year-old striker has also been fined an undisclosed amount, U.S. Soccer noted in its statement.

This latest penalty comes in addition to a three-match ban handed down by Major League Soccer last week, which rules Dempsey out of league action until July 11 when the Sounders meet Chicago.