:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62652342/usa_today_10757059.0.jpg)
Atlanta United’s MLS Cup victory celebrations on Saturday noticeably lacked a certain 18-year-old Powder Springs native. Fans and media alike have been wondering where Andrew Carleton was during the post-match elation after the Five Stripes defeated the Portland Timbers, 2-0.
Rumors emerged that Carleton’s absence could be for a social media post that was posted the night before the big final:
Surprised more #ATLUTD fans didn't notice - Carleton was out partying the night before the big match. And he posted it on his Snapchat. That's didn't go over well w/Tata, and it wouldn't have gone over well w/most other coaches, either. #MLS https://t.co/7feFmO85lx
— Pablo Maurer (@MLSist) December 9, 2018
Dirty South Soccer has been able to confirm through a club spokesperson that Carleton was suspended for the final and subsequent post-match activities due to violating club policy.
Carleton has been left out of the matchday squad for the entirety of the playoffs and hasn’t appeared in an MLS match since starting the final regular season home match against the Chicago Fire. While it’s likely that the Homegrown player wouldn’t have participated in the match anyways, club sanctions prevented him from celebrating with his teammates.
We can only hope that this was an isolated incident and he comes back from the offseason eager to redeem himself and earn more playing time next season.