As recently as San Diego's last game in the US Second Division, against LA Galaxy II, a player was suspended for something he said to a Loyal player.

Then it was Omar Ontiveros who said a racist word to Elijah Martin.

After that incident, San Diego teamed up and promised themselves that they would not just keep quiet if something similar happened again.

- We have been through a lot in the last week.

I understand that most people who are not close to the situation do not really understand.

But we live in this, says San Diego coach Landon Donovan in a clip on Twitter.

"I know how difficult it was for the players to even play"

And in the meeting with Phoenix, they showed that they meant business.

San Diego had a 3-1 lead in the first half when the incident occurred, and then chose to stop playing and leave the field.

After the match, the San Diego coach explained the situation.

- Our guys said "we do not tolerate this".

They were clear in the situation that they were giving up all hope of reaching the playoffs, even though they were defeating one of the league's best teams.

They said it does not matter, there are things that are more important in life and we must stand up for what we believe in, says Landon Donovan.

- When I heard that, I dropped it.

I know how difficult it was for the players to even play tonight, considering everything that happened.

And that it then happens again a week later, it is devastating, says Donovan.