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MLS fines Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson for ref criticism

Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson is being fined by Major League Soccer for comments he made about the match official on social media following his team's 3-2 loss to Orlando City on April 8.

Orlando's come-from-behind win against Portland, who was leading 2-0 late in the second half, was helped along when referee Baldomero Toledo whistled Alvas Powell for a penalty on Dom Dwyer that led to one of Orlando's goals before sending off the Timbers' Sebastian Blanco for a second yellow-card caution.

After Orlando completed the comeback, Paulson wrote on Twitter: "No way in a million years thats a penalty. Disgraceful. How do you not VAR that. Tried it once early but he got us in the end. Joke."

MLS commissioner Don Garber announced the fine -- for an undisclosed amount -- on Monday.