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By Tamara Prenn Published: 21: 11 AEDT, 4 November 2024 | Updated: 21: 22 AEDT, 4 November 2024 7 View comments Houston Dynamo star Hector Herrero was sent off during his side's play-off clash with Seattle Sounders on Sunday evening for spitting at the referee. The two teams met at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston for the knockout clash and were locked in a goalless stalement when the incident occured. Herrera had just been whistled for a foul and handed a yellow card by referee Armando Villarreal. In apparent disagreement with the official's verdit, Herrera walked away disgruntled, but turned back to seemingly spit at Villarreal's retreating back. Although the official did not see the incident, the gesture was reviewed by VAR and Villarreal was called over to the monitor. Hector Herrera was sent off in Houston Dynamo’s #MLSCup Playoffs loss to Seattle Sounders after SPITTING at the referee ? We are talking about a 102-time Mexico international. Disgraceful. pic. twitter. com/Frlz02She D Hector Herrera was initially handed a yellow card for a challenge during Houston Dynamo's post-season clash with Seattle Sounders In apparent disagreement with the call, the Mexico international spat at the retreating referee The gesture wasn't initially caught by Armando Villarreal but was later reviewed by VAR Herrera's card was instantly upgraded to a straight red, and the Mexico international was forced to leave the field. Dynamo later fell to Seattle on penalties after Sounders' Cristian Roldan scored both for his side and an own goal in normal time, with the hosts' season brought to an unedifying end. After the tie, head coach Ben Olsen stressed that he hadn't had a chance to review the incident, but that the conduct on the pitch was well below par. 'I have to look at what Hector did, for the red card, ' he said in his post-match remarks. But we've had five, six red cards against Seattle, it just seems like every time we play them we end up getting red cards. 'We have to make sure we're smart and give us the best opportunities to win. ' When questioned on the incident directly, he added: 'No, I haven't talked to him about it, just addressed the team. 'From what I saw, he spat at the referee, and any time you do that you're at the mercy of these guys. ' Head coach Ben Olsen appealed to the official but was unable to overturn his decision Herrera's red card put the side down to 10 men and they later fell to penalties after a 1-1 draw With the season over, Herrera is set to see out an ensuing ban into 2025, but by then, the midfielder may yet have left Texas. The player's contract is set to expire at the close of action this term, and although the club have an option to extend the deal, the 34-year-old's clause has not yet been triggered. The former Atletico Madrid man moved to the MLS in 2022 after three years at the Metropolitano, and has seen out spells at Mexican side Pachuca and Porto during his 13-year senior career. A stalwart for his national side, former Manchester United target Herrera has earned 105 caps for El Tricolor, and scored 10 international goals. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group