Revolution M Joseph apologizes for comments

Oct 27, 2008 - 11:53 PM FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph on Monday apologized for his comments directed at Kansas City midfielder Herculez Gomez.

Joseph was highly critical of Gomez following the Revolution's 3-1 loss to the Wizards on Saturday.

"The guy ended (Steve) Ralston's regular season," Joseph said on Saturday, referring to Gomez's slide tackle on the Revolution captain on October 11.

"He ended Ralston's career for the year. He didn't get a yellow. He didn't get suspended, fined or nothing. We knew coming in that we definitely wanted to give him payback. We made him know that we didn't appreciate what he did to Ralston, one of our teammates."

"We took him off because he was a target," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said. "From the opening whistle, they looked like they wanted to hurt him. I didn't want to risk injury to him."

On Monday, Joseph sang a different tune.

"I want to apologize for my comments after our game on Saturday night against Kansas City," Joseph said. "I was still caught up in the heat of the match. I regret implying that we were looking for payback. I know my comments don't reflect the feelings of my teammates or the club."

The team also issued a statement Monday.

"We apologize for Shalrie Joseph's comments following our match on Saturday night," it read. "There was no concerted effort to single out any player on Kansas City's squad. We would never condone such behavior or actions."

Ralston suffered a broken right fibula after both he and Gomez vied for the ball during the 12th minute of the Wizards' 1-0 triumph on October 11.

The midfielder, who is the MLS' all-time leader in games and assists, may return at the MLS Cup on November 23 - should the Revolution advance that far in the postseason.