June 18, 2012 - 2:57 PM
HOUSTON - Three Toronto FC players have been charged with public intoxication after police said they got in a fight outside a Houston nightclub and then argued with officers.
Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva says Miguel Aceval, Nick Soolsma and Luis Silva were jailed after the incident early Monday in the parking lot of the Club Escobar.
Toronto FC plays the Houston Dynamo here on Wednesday night.
Jodi Silva says the three players were involved in a "large fight" outside the club about 2:30 a.m.
Officers intervened, police say, and the three players "refused to leave the location and became belligerent" with police.
Police say one player tried to flee the scene on foot, but was caught. No one else was arrested.
Toronto FC has a 1-10-0 record, worst in Major League Soccer.
There has been a recent coaching change with Aron Winter leaving and Paul Mariner talking over at the helm.
A Chilean defender Aceval is in his first year with the club. He lost his starting job and has been sidelined with an injury.
Silva, an American attacking midfielder, was TFC's top pick in the draft. He has seen some action this season, mostly as a substitute.
Soolsma is a Dutch forward whose season has been interrupted by injury.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012