Wagner, who is White, faced a longer suspension, but MLS said it considered several factors, including his admission of directing the slur, in German, at Wood, who is of Black and Asian descent. Wood, a former U.S. national team forward who spent most of his career in the German leagues, is fluent in German.
Wagner will miss Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal Wednesday and, should New England even the series at home, would also sit out the deciding third match Sunday in Chester, Pa. A Philadelphia victory Wednesday would prevent him from playing in the one-game conference semifinal Nov.