MLS Suspends Marquez 3 games.

Marquez's boot to the head of Shea Salinas (estadisports.com)

Most of us MLS watchers have been anxiously awaiting the league's announcement of punishment for New York's Rafa Marquez, after he broke the clavicle of San Jose's Shea Salinas last weekend.  It's been quite in vogue for the league to issue the retroactive bans this season, so we all knew it was coming.

This morning they announced the punishment.  Marquez has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount.  The league statement said his: "actions were viewed as violent conduct that demonstrated blatant disregard for the safety of his opponent."  Gee, really?

Earlier in the week, I commented on MLS's site that I suspected the ban would be 3-5 games.  However, I was really thinking it would be more toward the 5.  I have a couple of issues with this.  First, the kick to the head area.  Major sports have been dealing with a rash of head injuries and concussion related symptoms.  Just ask the NHL and Sidney Crosby.  I think any deliberate action to the head needs to be met severely, just for the protection of other players.  Second, Marquez has a history.  He was suspended for the first two matches of this season after freaking out against the Galaxy in the playoffs last year.  Finally, like it or not, all of these type of incidents are going to be compared with the Brian Mullan incident last year, in which he was given a ten game ban for breaking Steve Zakuani's leg.  I have no issue with that on the surface.  However, you've had several incident since where the league has stepped back from that, including Mondiani of Chivas USA breaking Javi Morales's ankle and now this.  The incidents may be apples to oranges as far as the league is concerned, but I'd be interested to hear their thought process.

Also of note from the match, San Jose's Marvin Chavez was also suspended for one game for a "reckless challenge" on NY's Roy Miller.  He was also fined an undisclosed amount.  He will miss San Jose's showdown with Real Salt Lake this weekend.