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With the series between the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United heading to New York for the second leg, neither team can afford bad news since the score in the series is tied 1-1.
What seemed like a simple injury may turn into one that leaves New York’s designated player Rafa Márquez out of the critical game on Wednesday night, as manager Hans Backe said that putting Márquez back on the pitch may not be quite so simple.
When asked on Monday if his star player would be out on the field, Backe replied, “I haven’t checked with the trainers today and it probably has to be a late decision. I don’t think it’s a big one but we have to wait until tomorrow afternoon, evening until we know.”
Márquez himself said after the first game at RFK Stadium that he would likely be ready to go.
Backe was also asked about the argument that he had with Márquez, but he brushed it off as something that wasn’t personal or attacking in nature, saying, “He was very frustrated with the calf. He has been picking up that calf a number of times this season and going into the playoffs, he played very well. Picking up late in the first half, he was just upset over that.”
Backe also stressed that there needed to be a change in attitude of the Red Bull players if they wanted to walk out of the series as the winners.
“Everyone has to be ready to do the dirty work for 90 minutes and after this game, everyone should be aware of it, the price you have to pay to win the whole way.”
The second leg of the series will be played Wednesday night at 8:00PM EST, and will be televised nationally on the cable channel NBC Sports Network.
Dan Irwin is a sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ danirwin_rant or on Facebook at “facebook.com/danirwin.sports“.
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