New England's playoff road just got bumpier

The Revolution already find themselves in the difficult position of being down a goal heading into the second game of their playoff series with the Chicago Fire, but now they will have to recover without the help of midfielder Shalrie Joseph (pictured).

Yesterday the MLS Disciplinary Committee gave Joseph a one game suspension for a dangerous elbow he threw against the Fire's Ivan Guerrero (you can view it here (Windows Media file)). At the time I remember thinking that it looked like a hard foul, but then the ref called a foul on Guerrero for holding Joseph. A little strange all around.

The loss of Joseph will be big for the Revolution. He was recently voted the team MVP and has been a defining part of their recent up tick in offense. His ability to win balls in the middle and then feed them forward has been wonderful of late.

Joseph was also fined $500 for his conduct.

The Disciplinary Committee also fined Colorado Rapids forward Thiago Martins $250 for his ugly hit on FC Dallas defender Clarence Goodson (view it here)