Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said that Clint Dempsey is a target for other teams, who put a little "extra into it" when facing his team's star striker.
Dempsey, 33, was shown a straight red card in the 33rd minute of the Sounder' 5-0 dismantling of FC Dallas for making contact with the face of midfielder Juan Esteban Ortiz.
Speaking to reporters following the game, Schmid admitted he hadn't yet seen the incident but did say he felt teams were prone to going after Dempsey.
"He competes but he's also often times a target," Schmid said to reporters. "I think people forget that. The opponent sometimes targets him so they put a little bit extra into it. I think the protection from the referees has to be there as well.
Dempsey will now miss the Sounders' next match against the Portland Timbers in the two teams' Cascadia Cup showdown on Sunday.
"Obviously, we'd prefer to have Clint for that game because he's a big game player," Schmid said. "It's a big game and I know he thrives on those situations. But we're going to have to make do without him."
Referee Ricardo Salazar explained his decision following the match, saying the original foul was by Ortiz, but that Dempsey then put his hand to the opponent's face.
Salazar said: "That's considered violent conduct and we had no choice but to show him the red card."
Dempsey was playing just his second match since taking time off after helping the United States to a fourth-place finish at the Copa America Centenario.
Before his sending off, Dempsey connected with Jordan Morris for a goal, offering promise that the veteran striker and rookie sensation will click for the Sounders, who currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.