Red Bulls Fined by U.S. Open Cup For Using an Ineligible Player

Apparently Tyler Ruthven was ineligible for the Red Bulls' Open Cup match against the Charleston Battery Tuesday. The Bulls dressed him anyway, and now they'll pay dearly for it.

And by dearly, I mean a $500 fine levied the Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel.

Ruthven's ineligibility was reported to the panel by the Harrisburg City Islanders who the Red Bulls will play Tuesday and for whom Ruthven played in 2010. It was in the Open Cup quarterfinal that year against D.C. United where Ruthven was handed a red for a "dangerous foul." The City Islanders lost that one 2-0.

Ruthven played for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the NASL last year, and since NASL team didn't play in the cup in 2011, he didn't have a chance to serve his suspension.

Not that this is a big deal, but it's worth noting: Ruthven was an unused sub for the 3-0 win over the Battery last week. According to his Twitter, he'll spend Tuesday night in the stands with the traveling fans.