MLS disciplinary round-up: Quakes defender suspended & several fines handed out

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has released its decisions for Week 8 of the 2022 season, issuing one suspension and a number of fines.

Here's what you need to know...

1. Quakes defender Nathan suspended for 'serious foul play'

Saturday's clash between the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders was an intense affair, with the hosts coming from 2-0 and 3-1 down to pull off a 4-3 win - their first of the 2022 season.

The tone was set very early when Brazilian center-back Nathan put in a crunching challenge on Raul Ruidiaz in the 11th minute. A penalty was rightly awarded, but given how late and high the challenge was, a yellow card didn't seem an appropriate punishment at all.

The incident has been reviewed, with Nathan handed a one-match suspension and fined an undisclosed amount for 'serious foul play'.

As per MLS: "The play was reviewed under MLS Disciplinary Committee Parameter 3, where the match officials see an incident, and do not issue a red card on a case of clear and obvious simulation/embellishment that meets the conditions for suspension. Under Parameter 3, the MLS Disciplinary Committee shall issue either a one-match suspension on incidents in which the Professional Referee Organization acknowledges an on-field Referee/Video Assistant Referee (VAR) error and the Committee is unanimous at red card and one-match suspension and action taken; or the MLS Disciplinary Committee shall issue a two or more match suspension on incidents in which discipline warrants at least a two-match suspension.

"The incident in question must be, in the unanimous opinion of the Committee from all available evidence: a clear and unequivocal red card; and egregious or repeat behavior in nature, and/or such that the MLS Disciplinary Committee must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game; and/or clear and obvious simulation."

2. Chicago Fire's Federico Navarro picks up fine

The Chicago Fire's 3-0 defeat to Minnesota United was compounded by a second yellow card to Federico Navarro in the 76th minute, when the score was still 1-0.

The decision appeared clean-cut, but Navarro thought differently and stayed on the pitch a little too long to plead his case to referee Silviu Petrescu. As we know, MLS don't take too kindly to that sort of behavior and Navarro has now been fined for his troubles.

3. LAFC & Cherundolo in violation of MLS Mass Confrontation Policy

Stakes were high right at the end of FC Cincinnati's home tie with LAFC. The hosts had thrown away a 1-0 lead to go 2-1 down, but had one last chance to salvage something with a long throw in the final minute.

Lucho Acosta went up with Black and Gold defender Ryan Hollingshead with both players going down after a clash of heads. Things got a little heated with both sets of players squaring off.

For the third time, LAFC have been found in violation of Major League Soccer's Mass Confrontation Policy. The club - and head coach Steve Cherundolo - have been fined an undisclosed amount.