New York Red Bulls defender Rafa Marquez will miss Saturday night's match vs. Portland after being suspended by coach Hans Backe on Friday.
Marquez was critical of teammates after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake at home.
“There have been some mistakes, but if you see the statistics I’m trying to steal balls, get them back for the team, make a couple of good passes,” said Marquez, who is scoreless with four assists and five yellow cards this season.
A designated player, Marquez has no goals and just four assists this season, as the Red Bulls have stumbled to a 7-7-15 record. They were in fifth place in the Eastern Conference as Friday night's action began.
French forward Thierry Henry, who underwent a similar situation at Red Bull Arena earlier this year, said that the Marquez case is just a product of a frustrated fanbase.
“It’s frustration. That’s it. I don’t have anything to say about it,” Henry said. “I feel sorry for him. That’s really all I can say as a teammate. You don’t want to see that happen, but that’s all I have to say about it.”
