MONTREAL – Midfielder Patrice Bernier has asked for two or three days away from the Montreal Impact to reflect on a controversy that erupted when his wife criticized the club for keeping him on the bench.
The Canadian international from Brossard, Que., has not asked for a trade and coach Frank Klopas said he hopes Bernier stays with the team.
The players’ wife, Melisa Barile, caused a stir when he was left out of the starting 11 for a match Wednesday night against the New York Red Bulls even though a spot was open because midfielder Marco Donadel was serving a one-game suspension.
Klopas opted to have Eric Alexander start against his former team while playing his 150th MLS game.
In a Facebook posting, Barile said it was “unacceptable and disrespectful” toward Bernier and that her husband should consider moving to a new team if he is not appreciated by Montreal.
Bernier, 35, the team MVP in 2012, has started only three games and appeared in only 13 of 20 regular-season matches this season.
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