MLS's Disciplinary Committee has suspended D.C. United midfielder Dema Kovalenko for one game and fined him $1,000 for breaking the leg of Dallas midfielder Ronnie O'Brien on May 3.

The incident marked the second time Kovalenko broke a Dallas Burn player's leg. Brandon Pollard was his victim during a 1999 playoff game while Kovalenko was still with the Chicago Fire.

Kovalenko's D.C. United teammate — and former Chicago teammate — Hristo Stoitchkov missed the first two games of the 2003 season on a suspension for breaking the leg of a college freshman in a preseason scrimmage.

The Disciplinary Committee's statement regarding the Kovalenko-O'Brien incident reads:

''The incident occurred in the final minutes of regulation during the 0-0 draw between Dallas and D.C. United at RFK Stadium. During the game, Kovalenko was not whistled for a foul or shown a card for the challenge by match officials. O'Brien suffered a broken right tibia.

''The committee reached its decision following a review of videotape evidence and interviews with Kovalenko, O'Brien, the on-site match officials and head coaches of both teams.

''A summary of the MLS Disciplinary Committee's findings follows:

''Kovalenko's challenge was a desperate attempt to intercept O'Brien's cross. There is no indication that the challenge was intended to be anything other than a play for the ball. In and of itself, therefore, it can not be said to be an egregious play.

''The fact that a serious injury resulted from the play is relevant to the Committee. The challenge displayed a technique which placed O'Brien in danger. In particular, the attempted interception was made at high speed and full force, with both of Kovalenko's legs leaving the ground and with his heel leading the challenge.

''Because of the egregious nature of the injury to O'Brien, and because it was caused, at least in part, by the nature of Kovalenko's challenge which placed O'Brien in danger, the Committee determined that sanctions were necessary.''

Kovalenko will miss D.C. United's game against the MetroStars on May 10.