Approaching the hour mark of Wednesday evening's MLS clash between Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids, referee Drew Fischer had yet to produce a single yellow card.

Kansas led 2-1 at that point - and, while the scoreline didn't change before the final whistle, the temperature of the match itself certainly did.

Shortly after the game went into an indicated four additional minutes of stoppage time, Colorado's Auston Trusty was shown his second caution of the evening, quickly followed by a red card, for a poorly-timed challenge.

Just minutes later, a full-scale brawl erupted after Kansas goalscorer Daniel Salloi petulantly kicked out at Colorado's Nicolas Mezquida.

Mezquida's colleague Lucas Esteves wasn't happy with Salloi's conduct - and earned himself a red card of his own when he shoved the Kansas man to the ground in the aftermath.

In the same fracas, Kansas centre-back Andreu Fontas became the third man to be given his marching orders as a result of violent conduct.

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Somehow amid all the bad blood, Salloi managed to stay on the field, despite being the man to start the melee.

He didn't see the end of the game, though.

With the match now in its ninth minute of second-half stoppage-time, Salloi gave the referee no option but to dismiss him when he grabbed an opponent's throat directly in front of the official.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - APRIL 23: Antonio Carlos #25 of Orlando City slide-tackles Daniel Salloi #20 of Sporting Kansas City during the Major League Soccer game at Children's Mercy Park on April 23, 2021 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Of all four red cards, this final example was the most blatant of them all

You can check out the chaos for yourself below.

Watch: Tempers flare in MLS clash as four red cards shown in stoppage-time

Mental stuff!

The competition has only ever had four red cards in a single match once before. Back in 2001, the clash between the MetroStars and the Miami Fusion saw a quartet of dismissals. Of course, that was over a full 90 minutes, rather than in stoppage time alone.

It's been 21 years since MLS fans have witnessed a game with such poor discipline - and they might well have to wait a similar period to see it again.

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