An El Salvador defender emulated one of Luis Suarez’s most memorable moments in his country’s Gold Cup match against the United States – and it was not one of Suarez’s highlight-reel goals.
In the second half of the quarterfinal match between the U.S. and El Salvador, Henry Romero was matched up against U.S. striker Jozy Altidore on a set piece. While the two were grouped together, Romero twisted the nipple of Altidore, sending the striker to ground. Altidore popped up and shoved Romero back.
El Salvador player bites,nippletwits Jozy Altidore. That is a real sentence. pic.twitter.com/kHVqBukW5B
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) July 20, 2017
Then moments later, Romero went back for more, as cameras caught him biting Altidore.
What the --? Resorting to biting? Ouch. #USMNT #USAvSLV pic.twitter.com/bqqo9cJu8j
— Mark McClure (@mrkmcclr) July 20, 2017
El Luis Suarez de la #CopaOro2017 pic.twitter.com/lq59uLJla9
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) July 20, 2017
Altidore again went to the ground, complaining of the foul, and this time stayed down, but the referee did not see either incident and thus did not award a penalty or a red card.
Television replays, however, caught Romero doing something suspicious so it is possible CONCACAF may have something to say about the incident in the future.
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Romero did receive a yellow card in the match, and is in line for stricter punishment is Luis Suarez's history is anything to judge by, but he's likely not alone.
As if to make his teammate feel better, El Salvador captain Darwin Ceren took a little bite out of USA defender Omar Gonzalez in the 81st.
The fact that both U.S. players kept their cool and will be available for the Gold Cup semifinal is commendable.
The U.S. was up 2-0 in the quarterfinal match when the incidents occurred and went on to win the match by that scoreline, setting up a last-four showdown with Costa Rica on Saturday.