Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jonathan Leathers has been defended by coach Teitur Thordarson for his heavy challenge on the weekend.
The 25-year old broke the leg of FC Dallas star David Ferreira in the Caps’ 2-1 loss at Empire Field on the weekend but Thordarson says the tackle was not malicious.
"I don't see that," Thordarson said after the match.
"[Leathers] takes the ball first. He takes his leg possibly, but I think maybe [Ferreira's] foot got stuck in the turf here at the same time Jonny takes the ball.
“Whether that plays into it or not, I don't think Jonny went in there to hurt him. Definitely not."
Whatever the case may be, Ferreira will be sidelined for quite some time which is likely to see Dallas’ play-offs hopes take a plunge, especially after he led them to the ML Cup final last season as the competition’s Most Valuable Player.
