The attorney for Tyler Deric defended the Houston Dynamo backup goalkeeper who was arrested along with rookie Warren Creavalle late Saturday night following an altercation with a off-duty officer dressed in his police uniform outside Roosevelt Lounge, a Houston bar.

Deric was charged with assaulting a public servant -- "getting into a scuffle and punching an officer," according to a police spokesperson -- while Creavalle was accused of interfering with public duties.

"This whole incident revolves around the fact that Mr. Deric was with other soccer players, some who were African-Americans," said Allen Tanner. "The club did not want them coming in … He's not guilty of assaulting that off-duty officer."

Deric and Creavalle, who were released on bail and are now with the Dynamo at camp in California, were with Alex Dixon and Will Bruin. Creavalle and Dixon are African-American.