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Altidore's suspension upheld for TFC's 1st-leg East final tilt with Columbus

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto FC will be without star striker Jozy Altidore for the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Final against the Columbus Crew, with Reds manager Greg Vanney confirming the club's red-card appeal has been denied.

"Jozy's suspension has been upheld. The referees had given him a red card, so the burden of proof was on us to prove that it wasn't. We weren't able to do that with video we provided because there were still some gaps in the video," said Vanney.

Altidore was sent off for a half-time skirmish in the tunnel with the New York Red Bulls during the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a fight that also saw Sacha Kljestan ejected. The two had picked up yellow cards in the first half as they came together in a heated exchange.

TFC filed the appeal, compiling video evidence from the tunnel to show Altidore's role in the incident, but the league's independent review panel deduced it was not sufficient to overturn the suspension, according to Vanney.

To further Vanney's selection troubles, Sebastian Giovinco is also suspended due to yellow card accumulation, having been booked in both legs against the Red Bulls.

Toronto FC takes on the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium on Nov. 21 for the first leg, before returning to BMO Field for the second leg on Nov. 29. Both Altidore and Giovinco will be available for the latter game.

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