After RBNY Falls To Salt Lake, Rafa Marquez Blames Teammates (But Not Himself)

The team huddles during last night's game (Dan Dickinson)

With only five games left to play, the New York Red Bulls' post-season dreams are looking shaky.

With an almost fully healthy starting eleven, and coming off a tight 1-0 victory away at Dallas last week, the Harrison side looked ready to provide a strong challenge as they hosted Real Salt Lake Wednesday night. But within 20 minutes, the Harrison side found themselves down three goals. Alvaro Saborio went unmarked on a corner to start the scoring in the 9th minute, RBNY defender Tim Ream gifted Fabian Espindola just two minutes later, and Espindola struck again in the 21st minute. A second half found the Red Bulls dominating the attack, but Salt Lake's strong back line only allowed NY one goal, as Joel Lindpere converted a scissor kick for his 7th of the season.

The 3-1 defeat drops the Red Bulls to 7-7-15, and are now a single point outside of the last wildcard spot behind the Portland Timbers, who will visit Red Bull Arena this Saturday night.

If a 3-1 rout wasn't bad enough, beleaguered coach Hans Backe now has to deal with potential lockerroom drama. Defender Rafa Marquez told the media after the game "I think this is a team game and unfortunately there isn't an equal level between my teammates and I." Ongoing criticism of Marquez's performances has heated up over recent weeks, and with NY fans booing his every touch last night, his comments are surely not going to win him additional fans.

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By Dan Dickinson in News on September 22, 2011 11:46 AM

Comments [rss]

TBE11

He's such a moron. As is Backe. Rafa is getting paid close to $5 million and he throws his teammates under the bus. He's been crap in most of the matches he's played in, which hasn't been many.

You're right, Jake. It was difficult to welcome him after all the shit he's pulled against the US. I was willing to give him a chance but can't tolerate him anymore.One year removed from such a promising season and now it seems a clear-out is in order. Keep Lindpere, Rogers, Agudelo, Richards, Ream, and Mendes. Dump the rest, including Backe and Soler.

Luke Rinderknecht

What's hilarious about this is that Marquez picks the one game he was maybe ok in to talk smack. He's been horrible in four games this year, and mediocre most of the rest of the time. It's actually true that "there isn't an equal level": Rafa doesn't try.

Jake Oliver

It took a lot for me to stomach Red Bull signing this guy after watching his bush league antics for nearly a decade with El Tri. The disgusting challenges on Cobi Jones and Timmy Howard still make my blood boil. His performances this year for us have elevated my hatred of the guy to a whole new level. Sad thing is, this article didn't even capture the best of Rafa's post game quotes. He called Tim Ream, a promising 2nd year player who he is supposed to be mentoring "infantile." It's great when your leaders throw the young players under the bus...

JMH

"I think this is a team game and unfortunately there isn't an equal level between my teammates and I."

That's true, your teammates are working hard while you're playing like crap and coasting on your reputation.

Davin Lassiter

@SarahDuffy:disqus it's not in any way Spanish or royal. It was a pathetic attempt to get people who mostly watch European leagues to pay attention to us.

SarahDuffy

I figured as much. I hoped for a second that maybe there was a large spanish contingent in Salt Lake City (Spanish mormons!) that decided to start a football/soccer team and dedicate it to the royal family of Spain.

Dirk

Heh. I always forget we have a soccer team...

SarahDuffy

Are they really called "Real" Salt Lake? How is Salt Lake City in any way either Spanish or Royal?

Joshua

Yeah, Rafa's behavior is typical El Tri B.S. Go join your no necked buddy Cuauhetmoc back in Mexico!!

Bill Reese

Rafa's a bum. We should loan him to the Mexican league and be forever rid of him.

I sit in section 101 with the ESC. When we lose, our songs only get funnier. The trumpeter started playing TAPS last night after the third RSL goal. Classic.

HughGass

"we"? Do you play for the team?

Joshua

When a bond is created between a person and the team they support, its not at all uncommon to say "we" when talking about the team. But you know this, I am sure, and just wanted to try to stir something up.