U.S. national team head coach Steve Sampson has fined defender Jeff Agoos $1000 for his red card infraction in the Nov. 2 qualifier against Mexico. Agoos was ejected in the 32nd minute after elbowing Mexico’s Pavel Pardo. “While it is the referee’s discretion, we cannot put ourselves in this situation if we want to get to France,” Sampson said. This is the first time during Sampson’s tenure that a player has been fined for an on-field incident, and it is the first time in Agoos playing career that he has received a red card. “I understand the reaction to this matter and accept the penalty,” said Agoos. “I truly didn’t mean to put my teammates in that situation, and I have vowed that it won’t happen again.”