Galaxy defender Derrick Williams (3) slides into Portland Timbers forward Andy Polo (7) May 22. Williams was issued a red card. (Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)

The MLS Disciplinary Committee Friday suspended LA Galaxy defender Derrick Williams for five additional matches (six matches total) and fined the player an undisclosed amount for serious foul play in the 44th minute of the Galaxy’s match against the Portland Timbers May 22 ( VIDEO).

The violent play was against Portland’s Andy Polo.

Williams served his red card suspension on May 29 during the Galaxy’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes. The defender will serve his additional five match suspensions on the following dates:

  • June 19 vs. Seattle Sounders FC
  • June 23 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
  • June 26 vs. San Jose Earthquakes
  • July 4 vs. Sporting Kansas City
  • July 7 vs. FC Dallas

The play was reviewed under Disciplinary Committee  Parameter #2, in which the MLS Disciplinary Committee may act where the officials see an incident and issue a red card. The Disciplinary Committee may review the play for further disciplinary action, over and above the mandatory suspension and fine. Under Parameter #2, supplemental discipline (suspension and/or fine) will be administered if the Disciplinary Committee believes the offense is egregious in nature, and/or it must act to protect player safety, and/or it must protect the integrity of the game, and/or the player is guilty of repeat behavior.

In addition, the MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued an undisclosed fine to New York City FC midfielder Nicolás Acevedo for his failure to leave the field in a timely manner in the 86th minute of NYCFC’s match against the Los Angeles Football Club.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.