The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today suspended Colorado Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan for his tackle on Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani in the 3rd minute of last Friday's game. Mullan received a red card for the challenge, which resulted in the breaking of Zakuani's right tibia and fibula.

The Disciplinary Committee determined that Mullan's challenge was reckless, egregious, and showed utter disregard for the safety of his opponent. Mullan will be suspended for a total of 10 games and fined a total of $5,000, including the automatic one-game suspension and $250 fine for receiving a red card.

Seeing MLS put the hammer down on a challenge like this shows that they are willing to make a statement in regards to reckless challenges like this one. A 10-game suspension is a big deal as that takes up about a third of the season here. This marks the second time in league history that the Disciplinary Committee has handed a 10-game suspension. The first time it was handed out was to former Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark for kicking Carlos Ruiz while he was on the ground.