Huge Brawl Breaks Out In U.S. U-19s 3-1 Loss To Bahrain In 2016 COTIF Tournament Soccer Game

by Pablo MenaAugust 3, 2016, 4:10 pmNews >

The United States U-19 men’s national team fell 3-1 to Bahrain on Monday, thus crashing out of the group stage of the 2016 COTIF Tournament in Valencia, Spain, following a massive, bench-clearing brawl that broke out between the two teams.

Huge Brawl Breaks Out In U.S. U-19s 3-1 Loss To Bahrain

The U.S. could have advanced to the semifinals after defeating Spain 1-0. Nevertheless, the Americans lost on Monday and in stoppage time, a Bahraini player tripped Pierre Da Silva, sending him to the ground. What happened next, however, really started the melee. As Da Sliva went down, an opposition player smashed the ball off his head. Da Silva’s teammates chased after the offending Bahraini, pushing him to the ground and falling over him. Unsurprisingly, his own teammates came to defend him, both benches cleared, and all hell broke loose.

The referees and coaches naturally attempted to break it up. Even Da Silva entered the brawl, despite having just taken a soccer ball to the face. Clearly, the 18-year-old Orlando City striker did not let the pain stop him from responding to the attack.

There has been no word on U.S. Soccer regarding any type of disciplinary action as of yet, although one can only assume federation President Sunil Gulati will be very disappointed with this type of behavior. Four players were sent off with red cards as a result of the fight.

Bahrain will now advance to the semifinals. The U.S., led by head coach Brad Friedel, is now eliminated after also losing to Venezuela but defeating Mauritania.