There still was hope in Orlando City’s locker room last week when the Lions’ playoff chances had a shot a revival after FC Dallas used an ineligible player.
FIFA rules call for a forfeit if a team uses an ineligible player, which would give Orlando City much-needed extra points.
After a week-long deliberation, however, Major League Soccer decided to fine Dallas instead, saying FIFA defers to leagues in these situations and MLS could hand down whatever sanction it deemed appropriate.
There was more to it, a lot of research, background detail and nuanced definitions of ineligible players — but Orlando City isn’t impressed.