Chad Marshall, Josh Saunders Suspended by MLS Disciplinary Committee

Today the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee announced a series of suspensions and fines resulting from the matches of Week Seven; one of those suspensions will impact the Portland Timbers' upcoming match against the Seattle Sounders, while another should have impacted their match last weekend against New York City FC.

Sounders defender Chad Marshall was suspended one match for "serious foul play" after catching Colorado Rapids forward Vincente Sanchez in the left ankle with a studs up tackle early in Seattle's 3-1 win last Saturday. At the time of Marshall's foul the score was 1-0 to Seattle.

Without Marshall, the 2014 MLS Defender of the Year, on hand the Sounders will likely turn to club mainstay Zach Scott to man the center of the defense alongside recently converted midfielder and utility player Brad Evans. Scott has only played two matches for the Sounders in 2015, filling in for Marshall in the Sounders' 0-0 draw to FC Dallas in Week Four and making a substitute appearance to close out the Sounders' 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in Week 5.

Also on the receiving end of a DC suspension was NYCFC keeper Josh Saunders. Saunders slid in on new Timbers arrival Ishmael Yartey late in last Sunday's match, getting the ball but also cleating Yartey in the leg. Although the foul inside the NYCFC box was not called, the Timbers went on to win the match thanks to a deflected shot from Dairon Asprilla.

The MLS press releases:

MLS Disciplinary Committee Decisions: Week 7

NEW YORK, NY (Thursday, April 23, 2015) – The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Seattle Sounders FC defender Chad Marshall one game and fined the player an undisclosed amount for serious foul play that endangered the safety of an opponent in the 13^th minute of Seattle’s match against Colorado Rapids on April 18, 2015 (VIDEO).

From the same match, Colorado Rapids midfielder Marcelo Sarvas has been suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for violent conduct that endangered the safety of an opponent in the 40^th minute (VIDEO).

Columbus Crew SC was found in violation of the Mass Confrontation Policy in the 33^rd minute of the club’s match against Orlando City SC on April 18, 2015 (VIDEO).

Lastly, New England Revolution forward Charlie Davies has been issued an official warning for revealing an unsanctioned undergarment during his goal celebration in the 64^th minute of the Revs’ match against the Philadelphia Union. A second offense will warrant a fine.

MLS Disciplinary Committee Decisions: Week 7

NEW YORK, NY (Thursday, April 23, 2015) – The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended New York City FC goalkeeper Josh Saunders one game and fined the player an undisclosed amount for serious foul play that endangered the safety of an opponent in the 69^th minute of New York’s match against the Portland Timbers on April 19, 2015 (VIDEO).