MLS star Clint Dempsey sent off for ripping up referee’s notebook (Vine)

Less than a week after one of their reserve players picked up an outrageous red card, Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey went one step further.

The USA captain was one of three Sounders players sent off in a cup game against fierce rivals Portland Timbers, as the holders exited the competition in scarcely believable fashion. Striker Obafemi Martins was also forced off late on with an injury, meaning Seattle ended the game with just seven players on the pitch. However Dempsey's red card, for picking up and ripping the referee's notebook while team-mate Michael Azira was being given his marching orders. The Sounders and Timbers have a fierce rivalry, and fans of both sides weighed into the debate on Twitter. https://twitter.com/AaronCampeau/status/611042004282138624 https://twitter.com/ChrisRifer/status/611058926553952256 Even the Timbers mascot chimed in... https://twitter.com/TimberJoey/status/611034257390112769 Yes, that's right, this guy However it was left to the home team's live updates account to sum up the sentiment around an utterly remarkable game. https://twitter.com/LIVESounders/status/611039053694107648