Dempsey to miss Friday's match

WRENTHAM – The New England Revolution will be without all-star midfielder Clint Dempsey for Friday night’s match against visiting Real Salt Lake at Gillette Stadium (7:30 p.m.).

Revolution coach Steve Nicol said that Dempsey has been suspended by Major League Soccer after Dempsey appeared to get kicked from behind by Chicago defender Gonzalo Segares in a game on July 8, and retaliated by swinging an arm in his direction.

The suspension is for two games. Nicol previously said that Dempsey would appeal the ruling, but Dempsey has since decided he won't take that course of action.

Asked about the reason why Dempsey was suspended, Nicol said: “I don’t want to make any comment on that. What I will say is that if it was such an obvious problem, why wasn’t it dealt with [earlier]?”

Nicol wasn’t happy with the timing of the decision.

“We were told late last night that he was going to be suspended,” he said. “To find out Wednesday evening, when we’ve prepared all week for this game, is a little bit ridiculous.”

Dempsey will be available to play in an exhibition against Celtic FC next Wednesday.