Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
Rafa Marquez's controversial comments have cost him a spot in the lineup for the New York Red Bulls' crucial match this Saturday against the Portland Timbers.
New York manager Hans Backe has suspended Marquez for the match after the Designated Player made harsh remarks and belittled his teammates after the club unraveled in a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake, sources confirmed to SBI.
New York conceded three goals in the opening 21 minutes of a match that was of great importance to the club, and Marquez, a captain at the club and international level, went the unconventional route of appearing to throw his teammates under the bus. He also singled out his centerback partner, Tim Ream, whose error led directly to RSL's second goal.
Marquez' play has been subpar as well, evidenced by his culpability on the third RSL goal, leading many to call for his benching even prior to his comments.
What do you think of Backe's decision?
Share your thoughts below.
Márquez was never a center back? You’re not the first person to say this, but — this is just flat-out wrong. Of course he was. His best years at Barça were at CB paired with Puyol. It is his natural position. Márquez did play defensive mid at Barça when there were injuries to the midfield.
He does lack the quickness he had in 2004, to be sure. What he most lacks is a Xavi to pick the ball up off his feet. I feel bad for Rafa — the treatment he got was uncalled for. The crowd wanted to boo the team as a whole, and probably should boo Ream. But Ream is “our boy” — xenophobia wins. That said, Backe did the right thing. Rafa can’t play after those comments.
Looks like their wages bill is going to decrease soon. Backe and Marquez at least 😉
True yea, but his play hasn’t been up to par to be able to call someone out. He has been, at best, average. For a player of his pricetag he should be a leader and a performer but he is at most a role player. His play has been like his corner kicks. Lacksidasical and without pace.
Also, people who follow Herc Gomez on twitter, anybody see him call out marquez? F*ckin beautiful
If he’s working so much harder than his teammates, how come he hasn’t crapped his shorts during a game?
I find this entire situation a tad bit perplexing. Rafa Marquez was consistently one of the best players on the NYRB team until Backe moved him next to Ream for whatever reason.
Marquez is not, and never was a center back. He simply lacks the quickness to function in the spot. He is a very good deep lying defensive midfielder where his sense of positioning allows him to compensate.
Instead of blaming Marquez, the blame should be set at the feet of Backe. That being said, I would not be surprised to learn that Marquez is mailing games in at this point. For a professional with his experience and talent, a circus like this must be infuriating.
Nice first step. Now suspend yourself Hans. At least until you go to Open Cup games, not get rid of your assistants who know MLS best, not make trades that cripple us in the future, stop saying that fans are booing because of the media, and people around you say that you actually watch MLS games and prepare.
Good. He had a real attitude that game. Sit down buddy.
I wish i had money so i could buy this team and change the f*cking name back
My dislike for Frings is almost greater then Marquez
would have been my exact comment.
Now if only Backe would suspend himself all would be right.
he is no way your best defender. He might have the best skill but he puts in no effort and has blown all year. Send him back to Mexico
you don’t get it dude…. skill is one thing, but creating the right team chemistry is priceless.
true… but how you use “truth” is THE most crucial aspect about truth itself. Knowing how “use” truth is wisdom.
Henry is ten times the player Marquez is but he is not throwing his teammates under the bus. Right call by Backe to suspend him.
Marquez and Torsten Frings are the exact opposite players.
NOOOOO! We need to get the best team on the field. Period. Rafa’s relatively mild criticism should have been ignored, not penalized.
And, folks, he’s our best defender. No doubt about it.
I’ll boo him when he puts on a green shirt.
even fox soccer will pay for Ives’ 12 dollar tolls through the tunnels
Something MLS needs to never do again is just let the home team’s coach lead the All Star team ever again. Can you believe Hans Backe got to represent MLS coaches? ARe you seriously too cheap to buy a hotel room and a plane ticket for the current points leader coach? To quote Droga “Its a f…. disgrace”
Yeah, because this is going to help. The NYEnergyDrinks still suck. They still wont go anywhere in the playoffs and they’ll still be rotten next year. Hopes will be high. Truckloads of money will still be spent. But the Energy Drinks are still going to end up toward the bottom of the table every year.
And I’ll still be a happy camper, laughing my butt off when I hear NYED fans say how this year is going to be their year. No it wont. It never will. And what’s even better is that they’re in NY, so they’ll never move. They’ll always be a mediocre team at best.
Ahhh, I see what you did there. Very clever Neruda.
It was a headbutt. They even showed it in slow motion.
Also, Richie Williams as intern head coach did nothing but turn a loser into a decent winning soccer team when he had control. You then say bye because we got sven’s assistant coach. LOL ..cheesus
It was a strange pick paying 5 million to a defender in the MLS for your DP. It was also alienating to bring in one of the most hated players of all time by US Nat team supporters. Not exactly a good way to boost shirt sales. The immigrant population in NY also didn’t really think highly of him either.
The guy also didn’t want to play fullback anymore and wanted to play defensive mid where he is questionable on following runners.
What in the world are NYRB thinking? How do you even attempt to offload this guy with a salary that high as well? Nobody is going to touch him in MLS. Perhaps a Mexican team would be interested but they aren’t going to pay that much either
If what he said was true then it definitely exposes his lack of leadeship. I remember years ago when Gullit was signed to play with Chelsea. He was asked a question in regards to the ability of a few of his teammates. His response was along these lines (couldn’t find nor remember the exact quote). Good players make other players better by playing to their strength and putting them in a situation to succeed. Example, if Joe cannot shoot with his left then when I make passes for him to shoot, I make sure it’s a pass sent in such a way that he will have a good chance of finishing with his right. Totally understood the mental part of the game and this from a guy who played a lead role for one of the best club teams in history at Milano.
Shame that Marquez doesn’t get the negative mental affect this could have on his teammates.
Had to be done. But it’s hard to imagine too many people on the squad or in management who couldn’t be doing better right now.
This is the kind of thing that hopefully can galvanize the rest of the team. Hopefully they will also welcome Marquez back, because it’s a distraction they don’t need.
i thought it was a headbutt, i guess you did forget…
yea it’s the internet dude, relax.
Can’t we stop whining about a comment that was made in jest? What do you say we stop playing “PC Police” and just not get so bent out of shape about little things. Sheesh. Lighten up people!
The problem is that the stuffed shirts in Salzburg and Vienna who run the Red Bull, haven’t a clue as to how to make things work in MLS, in the US, have no respect for US players, or US coaches and have their heads so far up their a**es it’s a wonder they can hear each other. Richie Williams sweated blood for the NY, the Metro Stars, the Red Bull, whatever you want to call them and gave his life to that team, and he got repaid with zilch. Furthermore Richie Williams is born and bred – central NJ, HS All American, Newark Star Ledger, all decade, HS all star team, US National Team, etc, etc, etc, – i.e. someone who was and is intimate with soccer in the NY Metro area, since the time he could stand his own two feet, and exceedingly knowledgeable of the game at the national and international level – another wasted opportunity by those idiots in a
Austria. They could have AT LEAST kept him on in the development academy where his knowledge and experience of youth level soccer in the NY-NJ area would have been priceless, invaluable and expert.
Can’t we leave this type of crap off here?
Somebody please bench the coach instead!.. I’m sure NY would have a lot better results!
Talk about not being able to be a leader…You saw after Ream’s horrible mistake, Rost, the goalkeeper come out and try to encourage him…That’s being a leader…
I agree
Marquez spoke the truth but sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut
The kind of player, who when surrounded by better players can rise to their level – (Barcelona, – Mexican Nat Team) – but who was hired to raise up his NY team mates to a higher level, and has just phoned it in, and left them hanging time and time again, done little to raise them to his supposed higher level of play.
In US – Mexico matches he usually showed himself to be a shameless hatchet man, going at Tim Howard flying in with studs up, chopping down US players with late challenges, elbows to the back of the head on 50-50 air balls, etc. – a dirty pig. I have no respect for him, never did and never will. Barca is certainly a better team without him, hopefully NY will also improve without him. A waste of 5 million dollars, a total waste.
Imagine what one could do with his salary. .. .what a waste.
I still can’t forget his elbowing Coby in 2002. That was a full blown assault, which could have left Coby concussed.
He wasn’t playing very well before the Gold Cup. I don’t think it’s getting older and slower—he’s turned in some solid performances for Mexico. He’s playing lazy soccer for RBNY, almost like he just doesn’t care. Just makin’ his paycheck.
Thank god Hans did this. Things would have gotten ugly right from the player introductions at RBA on Saturday if Rafa was playing. Now if only Hans could suspend himself and bring in Richie Williams as his replacement?
I’ve been wondering if Rafa’s performance to date, not just the last game, was the result of lingering impact from his June injury. Or was it that he is getting older and slower (as happens to us all). After hearing his comments, I think both are incorrect. He’s simply stupid. It won’t save money to toss him off the team altogether. It might save the integrity of the franchise.
Activate Petke!
Even if his evaluation of his teammates is accurate, his excuse for his poor play clearly states that Rafa can’t play with them. Backe had no choice.
If its the truth or not you don’t come out and say it to the media. Coming from Barcelona you can say that he was used to playing with players at the highest level but he also had players at the highest level covering for his mistakes. Now that he is expected to carry his weight he is being found out. Ream does make mistakes but what do you expect of a guy playing his second year in the professional game? Very unprofessional of Rafa and he has VERY little to back up his comments with since his performances haven’t been exactly stellar.
The sooner we see the back of him out the door the better. Can do much better for the amount of money he is making.
Finally showing some Backebone.
Marquez is not worth the anything approaching a mil let alone five mil and his passing is bad.
welp, that didnt take long. congrats!
Implosions are fun to watch.
Hell Yeah
Deport him!
LOL! I love it! Marquez is a little biatch!
Best decision Backe’s made all season. COYRB!!