Ghanaian midfielder Gershon Koffie was red-carded while in action for New England Revolution in the American Major League Soccer on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old was controversially sent off just six minutes into the second-half after the former Whitecaps midfielder looked to show his studs on a tackle that clipped McNamara.
Some pundits argued that the red was harsh given the significance of the tackle.
Revs could appeal against the decision of the referee and have the midfielder back for next league game.
Thomas McNamara got the scoring started in the 10th minute after nodding home a rebound of a David Villa shot that went off the crossbar.
But Chris Tierney pulled even the Revs off a free kick that was heavily deflected by NYCFC forward Steven Mendoza.
Ghana international midfielder Kwadwo Poku was handed his first start of the season and lasted until he was replaced in the 77th minute by Moroccan Mehdi Ballouchy.