:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65712182/_S3C7639.0.0.jpg)
In a shocking press release issued Friday afternoon, it has been announced that Major League Soccer has terminated Brian Fernandez’s contract.
Paul Tenorio, via The Athletic, has reported that the termination is due to “failure to comply with the league’s substance abuse and behavioral health (SABH) program.” However, there is no indication of what that failure is, and Tenorio also reports that the MLS Players Association will be filing a grievance on behalf of Fernandez.
Perhaps the biggest bombshell in Tenorio’s article is that MLS is suing Necaxa, Fernandez’s former club in Liga MX.
Whatever the outcome of today’s news, this is undoubtedly a major wrench in the Timbers’ offseason plans. The club’s record signing is now off the roster having only played 19 games. This leaves Portland with potentially two open Designated Player slots if Diego Valeri ends up departing the club or signing a TAM deal for the 2020 season.
Stumptown Footy will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.