Ricardo Clark: American Hero?

Houston Dynamo's Ricardo Clark has hit a new MLS record. Yesterday, the League offices suspended Clark a record 10 games and fined him $10,000 for his kick on FC Dallas's Carlos Ruiz during their Texas Derby match on the weekend, won by Houston 3-0.

I admit, I'm kind of going out on a limb here for praising the merits of a man who kicked a fellow competitor while he was down, quite literally, but dammit, enough is enough. The instigator on this play is Ruiz. The Guatemalan international is probably the closest MLS has had to a Barry Bonds type personality. Having followed Ruiz's antics for several years now, it isn't too hard to see why he is nicknamed "El Pescadito" or "The Little Fish." His constant flopping around, diving and theatrical antics (which incredibly the officials keep buying) have earned him the reputation as one of the league's most hated players. But they love him in Dallas.

In no better way is this seen than in the video from the game at FC Dallas's home ground of Pizza Hut Park last weekend. Ruiz violently pushes Clark down in the box, a situation where the game was already in hand and totally uncalled for.

After Clark reacted and kicked Ruiz in the side, Ruiz proceeded to roll over, grab his FACE, get up, fall down, roll some more, then grab the top of his head. It was a peformance that would make AC Milan goalkeeper Dida blush.


Now let me get one thing straight. Clark's violent reaction has no place in MLS or any league of soccer for that matter. He overreacted, and should be suspended and fined. However, 10 games and $10,000 is a bit excessive. First off, the MLS season is only 30 games long. Clark has been suspended for what a Major League Baseball player would be suspended 54 games for doing. His fine is also excessive. As Eric Wynalda said during the Toronto-New York broadcast last night, "Players in this league aren't making enough money to get fines of $10,000. Ricardo Clark's salary last season was $160,000. I do not know if he has signed a new contract since then, but I can't imagine he's making much more if he did. If I'm the Commish, Clark gets a 5 game ban and a $5,000 fine. That's still plenty to send a message. That's like an MLB'er getting a 27-game suspension.

The tragedy of all of this is that Ruiz only got red-carded. He'll probably serve a one-game suspension and pay a token fine, despite instigating the incident, diving in the box, and exaggerating the injury. His style of play has no place in MLS either, and it's diving thespians like Ruiz that give soccer a bad name in this country. Enough is enough, and while I can't say Clark reacted in the most appropriate way, El Pescadito got what he deserved, and showed his true character on the pitch in Frisco, TX.