Brent Kallman suspended for violating MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Policy

This morning Minnesota United and Major League Soccer announced that MNUFC defender Brent Kallman had been suspended for violating the league’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (SABH) Policy. Specifically in the case it is stated that Kallman tested positive for performance-enhancing substance.

Per the CBA between the MLS and MLSPA, Kallman will be suspended for 10 MLS games, starting immediately, along with 20 percent of his 2019 salary.

Kallman will not be able to participate in team trainings or use team training facilities during the regular season or playoffs, unless rehabilitating an injury under He is also barred from participating in tournaments, friendlies or scrimmages, and may not attend team events, including team appearances during the suspension.

The suspension starts immediately as previously stated which will impact him and the club for the final four regular season matches in 2019 along with any matches the club plays in the playoffs. The remaining games will be served at the beginning of the 2020 season.

With only four regular season matches remaining and no more then 4 playoff games possible with the new MLS Playoff format, Kallman will serve a minimum 2 game suspension to start 2020. This all depends on if the Loons get into the playoffs and if they do how far they go as he may miss as many as 6 matches next season.

Kallman will however be allowed to participate in preseason training, including closed-door scrimmages, but may not participate in anything else next preseason.

While Minnesota has had some suspensions come from card accumulation and red cards, this is the first suspension to an MNUFC player for an off field incident at least since joining MLS in 2017.