Timbers release Andy Polo after domestic violence allegation

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Timbers have terminated the contract of midfielder Andy Polo, who was accused by his former partner of domestic violence.

Genesis Alarcon alleged on Peruvian television that Polo, 27, was physically and emotionally abusive to both her and their children. She also claimed that Polo had stopped paying child support. The accusations were recounted earlier this week in the newspaper La Republica.

The Timbers acknowledged Thursday that the team was aware of a dispute at Polo's home in May 2021 that resulted in a harassment citation. Portland exercised Polo's contract option in December.

“We deeply regret not suspending Polo immediately, especially considering the troubling new details of abuse that surfaced this week. It was a failure on our part, and one that will never happen again,” the team said in a statement.

Polo issued a lengthy statement in Spanish that said the allegations were unfounded. The harassment charge was not pursued by Alarcon or Washington County, Oregon, authorities.

The incident report from the Washington County Sheriff's Department confirmed Alarcon's assertion that two Timbers employees arrived at the home while the deputies were there.

Polo was on Peru's roster for the 2018 World Cup and played in 37 matches for the national team.

He played for the Timbers for the last four seasons, scoring two goals in 69 appearances with the team. He missed most of last season because of injury.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports