Atlanta United, Columbus Crew Fined for Matchday 6 Confrontation Involving Martino, Rydström, and Others

TITLE: Atlanta United, Columbus Crew Fined for Matchday 6 Confrontation Involving Martino, Rydström, and Others

MLS has fined Atlanta United and Columbus Crew following a mass confrontation in the final moments of their Matchday 6 game on April 4. Both teams and their head coaches, Gerardo Martino and Henrik Rydström, were cited for the first time this season under the league’s Mass Confrontation Policy. Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos and assistant coaches Gede Martino and Jorge Theiler were also penalized for their roles in the incident. Columbus assistant coaches Phil Boerger and Josh Williams received similar fines.

The altercation occurred in the 92nd+ minute and escalated into a full team confrontation. The MLS Disciplinary Committee determined that the situation was incited and escalated by key individuals from both clubs. Atlanta head coach Gerardo Martino received an additional undisclosed fine under Parameter 2 for irresponsible behavior in the 93rd+ minute. Martino will serve a one-game suspension during Atlanta’s next match, a home game against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, April 11.

Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi was also fined for simulation/embellishment in the 82nd minute of the same match. Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd was penalized for an inappropriate gesture in the 48th+ minute of San Jose’s game against San Diego FC on the same day.

This is the first disciplinary action of the 2026 season for both Atlanta United and Columbus Crew under the Mass Confrontation Policy. MLS typically imposes fines and suspensions for such incidents to maintain order and sportsmanship on the pitch. The league has issued 12 such disciplinary actions across the first six matchdays, with Atlanta and Columbus now joining that list.

Martino, in his first season with Atlanta, has already drawn attention for his intense coaching style. His suspension will mark his first absence from the bench this campaign. The team is currently in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings and will need to manage without their head coach as they face a crucial match against Chicago Fire FC.

Columbus Crew, meanwhile, remain in a tight playoff race and will need to regroup quickly after the incident. Rossi’s fine adds to the growing scrutiny around player conduct, especially with the league focusing on reducing simulation and embellishment in key moments.

San Jose and San Diego FC’s disciplinary issue was a separate but notable moment in the same matchday. Judd’s gesture was deemed inappropriate by the committee, though the nature of the act was not disclosed in the official report.

Atlanta’s next match is a home game against Chicago Fire FC on April 11. The team will be without Martino, who will serve his one-game suspension.