D.C.'s Boswell, Portland's Melano slapped with MLS punishment

Major League Soccer has announced a trio of punishments stemming from incidents during Week 15's slate of fixtures.

D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell was the worst offender of the lot, and has been suspended one match and fined an undisclosed amount for kneeing Houston Dynamo forward Will Bruin in the back, according to MLSSoccer.com.

Boswell, 33, was shown a yellow card for the foul, and the league's Disciplinary Committee has since unanimously ruled that the transgression was a serious foul play, endangering the safety of Bruin.

Boswell and Bruin spent three years together as teammates at Houston.

Greek tragedian Euripides said that "friends show their love in times of trouble, not happiness." Apparently Boswell didn't get the memo.

Joining Boswell in punishment is Portland Timbers forward Lucas Melano, who was found guilty of embellishment during the club's 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

Related - Watch: Timbers' Melano takes amusing tumble

The 23-year-old Argentinian will receive a fine, and in true MLS spirit, the amount will not be disclosed though his cartwheel garnered a perfect 10 from the American judge.

San Jose Earthquakes assistant coach Ian Russell has also been issued a fine of an undisclosed amount for violating the league's policy for entering the field of play. Russell infringed on the MLS-imposed policy in the 85th and 90th minute of the club's 2-2 draw at Orlando City SC.