Atlanta United’s Martino can’t coach NYCFC game

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is shown in this file photo. (Miguel Martinez / Mundo Hispanico)

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is shown in this file photo. (Miguel Martinez / Mundo Hispanico)

Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino will not be on the sidelines for Sunday’s game against NYCFC at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Martino was ejected from last week’s game against Houston after he kicked a ball onto the field in the second half.

The ball was kicked toward Martino by Houston’s goalkeeper in an attempt to stop play because Atlanta United’s Hector Villalba was injured.

After the game, Martino said he didn’t think he should have been sent off.

“The ball got kicked into the technical area, right to where I was and I kicked it,” he said. “The play was stopped, and there was a player down on the ground. It was a dead play and I kicked it. That is what happened.”

Martino watched the rest of the game from a suite.

Because Martino was ejected, MLS rules dictate that he will have to miss the next game.

It hasn’t been announced which of Martino’s assistants will be the lead coach on the sideline.