NEW YORK — Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark was suspended nine gamesby the MLS — the longest in league history — for violently kicking Carlos Ruizon Sunday.

With Houston winning 3-0, Clark kicked Ruiz in the right shoulder while hewas on the ground, causing a brief skirmish between the teams. Clark wasejected.

“I have decided that it is necessary to take firm action to reflect thefact that Ricardo Clark’s violent kick to Carlos Ruiz in last weekend’s gameagainst FC Dallas, while out of character, is unacceptable behavior from an MLSplayer,” said league commissioner Dan Garber. “In taking this action, MajorLeague Soccer is sending a signal that it will not accept reckless and dangerousbehavior on its fields. If there is a repeat of this kind of behavior by any MLSplayer, even firmer sanctions can be expected in the future.”

Garber also fined Clark $10,000. The suspension surpassed the previous-longof six games that Dario Sala, Thomas Ravelli, and Andy Herron received.

“I hope and believe that Ricardo Clark will reflect on and learn from hismistake and become a better professional as a result.”

Clark’s suspension includes the automatic one-game that a player gets for ared card offense. He will serve the nine-game suspension throughout theremainder of the regular season, MLS Cup playoffs and into the start of the 2008season.