Soccer: Extra Time

Soccer: Extra Time

Keel out 3 weeks, Red Bulls defense decimated

April 25, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

As if the Red Bulls’ defense wasn’t already under enough stress, add defender Stephen Keel and his stress fracture to the list of barely-walking wounded. The centerback has a stress fracture in his back that is expected to sideline him for three to four weeks, and leaves them without six regulars in a mounting injury crisis.
	 
“We have some problems, that’s for sure,’’ head coach Hans Backe told the Post. “Keel is out for three weeks with a stress fracture in his back. That’s probably something that’s been going on. When you get as stress fracture, that’s over a period of time.’’
	 
Period of time could also describe how long it’ll be until the Red Bulls’ defense, already the second-worst in MLS with 14 goals allowed, will be whole again.
	 
Left back Roy Miller and centerback Wilman Conde are out for several weeks, as is central midfielder Teemu Tainio. Central midfielder Rafa Marquez has served just one game of a three-game suspension, and right back Jan Gunnar Solli missed today’s practice with a calf injury sustained in the blowout loss in D.C., and is expected to get a scan to see the extent.
	 
“Roy is out for I’d say three weeks, Teemu a minimum of four weeks,’’ said Backe. “Solli didn’t train today. He got hit on his calf so he’s going for a scan.’’
	 
Diminutive rookie Connor Lade made his MLS starting debut last weekend in D.C. at left back, and if Solli can’t go Saturday against New England, expect either unproven Jonathan Borrajo (like Lade, a product of the Red Bull academy system, albeit with a year of experience abroad) or perhaps Brandon Barklage to get the nod at right back.
	 
And if that untested fullback duo isn’t cause for concern, ponder the situation at centerback, where experience is far more vital. Keel himself was a stand-in for Wilman Conde, but he and newcomer Markus Holgersson have struggled mightily to find chemistry and hold down the middle of the defense.
	 
Holgersson has admittedly struggled with the pace of MLS, and was personally culpable for two of the goals the defense allowed in bottoming out with a 4-1 loss to archrival D.C. United. Tyler Ruthven, as 23-year-old with USL experience, came on in that game and will now be thrust into the lineup alongside Holgersson.
	 
Victor Palsson appears set to get another start in central midfield alongside Dax McCarty, if for no other reason than Backe views Joel Lindpere as more of a wing option.
	 
The latter will contend with Mehdi Ballouchy for the starting job on the left flank, but the Red Bulls are still sadly devoid of a truly physical option on the middle. With the shape their injury-riddled defense is in, that could bode ill for Saturday’s game against New England.

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Reaction to Red Bulls loss at United

April 22, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

The Red Bulls’ four-game unbeaten streak was snapped in ignominious fashion, humiliated 4-1 Sunday night at archrival D.C. United. Striker Thierry Henry scored his eighth goal to pull into a first-place tie with San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski in the MLS Golden Boot race; but otherwise, it was a dreary, disappointing performance.

The Red Bulls (3-3-1, 10 points) saw United leapfrog them into second place in the Eastern Conference as a result. They return home Saturday to face New England at 3:30 PM (NBC Sports Network). Here is reaction from both sides to the blowout, with the Red Bulls in bold:

New York Red Bulls Head Coach Hans Backe 
	 
Overall thoughts on the match: 
	 
“I would say that we gave away four goals. Every goal from DC, it’s one pass, then goal – all four of them. It’s absolutely phenomenal that they don’t need to combine anything, it’s the first time I’ve seen this in a game, four goals coming after one pass.”

On the defensive performance: 
	 
“In terms of defending, we gave [the goals] away. [D.C. United] didn’t need to work for them. I would be very happy if we could get those kinds of goals in our attacking game. Of course, when you are three down, it’s a long way, but I think we responded quite okay in the second half, but normally a game is over when you are already three down in the first forty five [minutes].”

On the team’s missing pieces: 
	 
“We are a little bit short-handed. If you look at it, the centerline is usually the most important in a team, and we were missing [Wilman] Conde, [Rafael] Marquez and [Roy] Miller. Anyhow, these are the guys that need to step up now and we’ll see if we can turn this around already for next Saturday.”

On the team’s midfield: 
	 
“We don’t have the best balance in midfield; we are missing physical strength. We have a lot good footballers but physically we are losing a lot.”

New York Red Bulls Forward Thierry Henry 
	 
On New York’s defensive performance: 
	 
“It’s been terrible defending the way we do defend, we were going to get punished and we got punished today.”

On missing some key players: 
	 
“No excuses, they won. And they deserved it. They were good, scored early and kept putting pressure, putting us in trouble. Finally, they were missing that, putting the goal in the back of the net, and they did that today. They could’ve scored more, so like I said, we need to work harder and see if we can [get a win] against New England.”

On whether a foul should’ve been called in United’s first goal: 
	 
“I don’t have anything more to say about this type of thing. The referee didn’t think it was a foul, so move on.”

On Chris Pontius: 
	 
“Pontius is a great player; he did what he had to do.”

New York Red Bulls Defender Connor Lade 
	 
Overall thoughts: 
	 
“We are not happy; you can’t be happy with this result, we have to move on.”

On the defensive mistakes: 
	 
“It happened so fast sometimes, but it’s just little things and mental lapses that if we play a team that has good finishers, those goals happen. We are going to have to learn from these things and start putting a more consistent effort together.”

On his first start: 
	 
“It felt alright. I got to experience a game before, so I knew what the speed was like. Overall, I thought I did okay, but I’m trying to focus on the team and not myself. If I’m in the lineup, great, but if not, we have to get the result at the end of the day.”

On the weather conditions: 
	 
“Both teams had to play in it, so I don’t think we can have any excuses tonight. Some of those [goals] could’ve gone our way, but they didn’t.”

D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen
	 
On the win:
	 
“I think New York came here with a little bit of a watered-down team, and it showed at times. We’re going to see a much better New York team when they get a little healthier and the guys that are on suspension come back. We’ve got to take the win with a grain of salt, but I feel we took advantage of that. That’s what you have to do. Throughout the season, you’re going to have games like this where you’re playing a team that’s a little down, and you have to step up and take advantage of that. I thought we did a very good job from start to finish of putting them under a lot of pressure and not letting them get comfortable.”

On forward Chris Pontius:
	 
“He set a great tone early. I thought the entire team was buzzing early and the ball was moving. The field was wet, so it was a nice night for them to play. Chris does a little bit of a shimmy and bangs one in. I thought he had a good night. He still doesn’t know how to play forward though – that’s the scary thing. He’s still new at the position, and his movements can get a lot better, but three goals isn’t too bad.”

On forward Maicon Santos:
	 
“He’s a big boy. He is a handful, as we all have seen so far. He put in another good day. I keep preaching to him, consistency and being a handful and being strong and keeping the ball for us. He always has times where he’s facing the goal on his left, and his left tag is a nice weapon. A little bit of an individual, just gutsy play on his part to create that goal.”

On Chris Pontius coming off the bench for several games to start the season:
	 
“There wasn’t much communication. There was enough, I think, from my end. He was patient, to a point, and then he was chomping at the bit. We had a good meeting. With all the subs that want to get on the field, you have to take advantage of your opportunities. He comes into the New England game and makes the most of it. Again, it makes me make some tough decisions. He did that, and we gave him a run, and I thought he did well the other night. Tonight, he was pretty darn good.”

On what the key was to stopping New York’s offense:
	 
“You can still see, even with a watered-down group, there’s still a lot to deal with up top. [Thierry] Henry and [Kenny] Cooper have been pretty successful so far. Henry’s just so dangerous every time he gets the ball. I think, again, if they had a little bit more quality on the field tonight, they would’ve been much more dangerous. But the key, to answer your question, is Henry. He makes them go, so you try to deny him the ball, you try to get double teams out on him. You try to frustrate him. He’s still that type of guy, that he can change the game pretty quickly.”

On the defenders:
	 
“I thought [Emiliano] Dudar had a really good game. In particular, the way he deals with Cooper and Henry in a physical way. He had a very good game. The whole back four was solid; they were connected. We didn’t get caught in behind too many times. They defended the box very well. I was very pleased with the way they’re coming along.”

On midfielder Dwayne De Rosario:
	 
“Dwayne’s doing enough. We all jumped on Dwayne’s back last year and said, ‘Look. Take us. Take us to the playoffs.’ And he tried, and he did a pretty unbelievable job at it. We said in the offseason, we can’t rely on one guy. We need to get help around him so we don’t have to rely on Dwayne. Dwayne being in the midfield, he’s doing a lot for us, and we’re going to continue to score goals with him in the midfield. Dwayne doesn’t care. Of course, you always want goals and assists; we all have egos. But ultimately, you’ll see a smile on his face in there. He doesn’t care, he wants to win. He’s got a lot of individual honors. When he sits back at the end of the day, his trophy case is just fine, in his individual and team stuff. But he wants more team stuff, if you ask him.”

D.C. United midfielder Nick DeLeon
	 
On the win:
	 
“Last game, we had a slow start and that’s what we preached really hard for this game. We can’t afford to have that start, so we came out banging and were fortunate enough to get three goals in the first half. And from then on, it was just about trying to hold that lead and maybe sneak in a couple more. Overall, it was a good team performance today.”

On the rivalry:
	 
“I got a sense of the rivalry right when I started warming up. It was pretty cool, especially to get the result that we did, that made it even sweeter.”

D.C. United striker Chris Pontius
	 
On the win:
	 
“I thought it was good. We talked about what they did to us last year. We didn’t forget about that. I thought that the first half was some of the best soccer we have played all year and we got three goals. It’s always nice to be playing with a lead like that. The whole team did well.”

On 2012 versus 2011:
	 
“I think we’re a more mature team. We close out games better, we see out plays better, and we make a lot less stupid mistakes.”

On his first goal of the game:
	 
“Benny [Olsen] and Chad [Ashton] have been harping on us as forwards to double-down on midfielders and as Henry picks up the ball I’m able to pick it off of him, and I’m running at the back line and see a chance to put it on my right foot and hit it.”

On adjusting to playing striker:
	 
“I have always said that I just want to be on the field. The game is different. Different defenses offer different opportunities for you to get in behind. Sometimes its underneath, this game I had success just moving off the ball and creating space for myself and Maicon [Santos] and DeRo [Dwayne De Rosario] to run into. We were able to find each other today.”

D.C. United defender Robbie Russell
	 
On the win:
	 
“It was a great result for us. They still got one [goal]. I think that as a defensive unit, we want to start priding ourselves in getting zeroes, so that’s something we have to look to improve on. We want to get zeroes. That’s one of the goals we set at the beginning of the season and I want us to remember that.”

On Chris Pontius:
	 
“Chris is always a threat. Whether he is coming off the bench or starting, he’s a threat. I think it’s a testament to him that through the ups and downs, he’s maintained his mental composure and performed brilliantly today.”

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Manchester United's EPL title charge blown off course by Everton

April 22, 2012 , ι By NewsCore

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United surrendered two late goals to Everton in a dramatic 4-4 draw Sunday that breathed new life into the English Premier League (EPL) title race. United's grip on... Read on

United's grip on a 20th league crown appeared to strengthen as it held 3-1 and 4-2 advantages in the second half at Old Trafford. A win would have taken the Red Devils six points clear of neighbor Manchester City. But strikes from Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar in the 83rd and 85th minute brought Everton level.

United continued to press for a winner, but U.S. National Team keeper Tim Howard - a North Brunswick (NJ) native and former MetroStar - pulled off one final save late in injury time, against his old team, to deny Rio Ferdinand. The amazing result leaves the fate of the EPL title in the hands of both United and City.

A win for Roberto Mancini's men at 20th-placed Wolves on Sunday will bring them three points behind United, who they host next Monday, meaning back-to-back victories will propel them past their city rival with two games to play. United can remain on course for a successful title defense if City drops points in either fixture.

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Could the Red Bulls' Lindpere move back in the middle?

April 21, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

After grudgingly being moved from his preferred central midfield spot out to the left flank, Joel Linpere may be needed back where he started. With the Red Bulls bereft of central midfielders Rafa Marquez and Teemu Tainio, coach Hans Backe may be forced to choose between starting Lindpere or young Victor Palsson.
	 
Backe has gone on record saying he views Lindpere and Mehdi Ballouchy as wide players, and with Lindpere out of form the Moroccan stepped in and played well the past two games at left wing. With Palsson just 20 years old, would Backe trust an unproven player in tomorrow’s derby at archrival D.C., or go with Lindpere?
	 
“There’s nothing wrong with my form. We won two games and then I was benched. I don’t know what form you’re talking about,’’ huffed Lindpere, who has just one assist this year and has been shockingly ineffective. “I got some knocks in the games, and one game I had to go out with an injury and (Backe) said he’d give Mehdi a chance. It’s a team sport. That’s the way it is.
	 
“I heard (Backe) said he didn’t want me and Mehdi to play in the center. If the coach says this, then I prefer to play outside. It’s a team sport and every player needs to do what’s best for the team. He said he prefers us to play on the wing.’’
	 
Don’t mistake Lindpere; the all-heart Estonian has been a central midfielder for most of his career. He arrived in New York as such in 2010, and was named team MVP playing that position for a club that finished atop the Eastern Conference.
	 
Backe moved him against his will, but Lindpere agreed and has seen a litany of other players patrol the middle for the Red Bulls, from Dwayne DeRosario to Rafa Marquez, whose ill-advised three-game suspension has put them in a bind with Tainio injured and Palsson’s only start a disaster in the 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.
	 
“I was playing the middle the whole season (in 2010) and I think I did a good job,’’ said Lindpere. “It’s not easy to go just to play one game in there and fill somebody’s spot.’’

It’s not that Lindpere doesn’t want to play centrally; he’d relish it. But he’d prefer it be a permanent move, not an already-struggling player being used as a one-game stopgap before being shunted back out wide. Still, ever the good soldier, the Estonian will do whatever the Red Bulls need.
	 
“I play where I have to be and where I have to play,’’ Lindpere said. “I’ve been playing in center all my life and I miss it; one day I would love to play there fully again. But if the team needs some players to play in the middle or outside, then the players just have to o it and manage.
	 
“Because we are one team, if somebody gets hurt, somebody is not fit, or somebody is tired or somebody gets suspended, these spots have to be left. That’s very simple and easy. Whoever is playing there doesn’t matter. We are one team, we have 28 players; maybe somebody else is going to play there.’’

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Shorthanded Red Bulls minus five regulars Sunday in DC

April 21, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

The Red Bulls come into the season’s first installment of the Atlantic Cup at hated archrival D.C. United shorthanded, missing five regulars due to injury or suspension. They’re riding a four-game unbeaten streak, but if they have any hope of a result at RFK Sunday (6 p.m., ESPN2), they’ll need to put that much-hyped depth to the test.

“It’s quite a big rivalry between the teams. But we’ve done quite well in the games we’ve played against D.C.,’’ said coach Hans Backe. “You have to be well-prepared, make sure you’ve done the right things in the week, and hopefully we’ve done that. We have a number of injuries and suspended players; we just hope we can show our depth is good this year.’’

They’d better hope it is. Striker Juan Agudelo (left knee surgery), midfielder Teemu Tainio (right knee sprain) and centerback Wilman Conde (groin strain) have all been out, with left back Roy Miller suffering a left knee injury during last weekend’s contentious 2-2 draw with San Jose. Rafa Marquez drew a three-game suspension for a foul that injured Shea Salinas during that game.

“I think everyone knows our basic playing style, so that makes the transition much easier. I'm not quite sure that we will get the right balance, the balance we want in midfield if you look at technical skill, physical strength. Every player now just needs to step up to do their job, and hopefully we can pick up a result.’’

While the offense has been white-hot – captain Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper are both tied atop the Golden Boot standings with seven goals – now two other players who may have to step up are midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy and rookie fullback Connor Lade.

“We could bring young victor on, Connor is going to play. Turn it around you get some younger kids, they’re probably going to run a lot and be very enthusiastic and maybe do well,’’ said GM Erik Soler. “It is what it is. My career took when somebody else got injured and I got a chance. A lot of young players take the opportunity. Hopefully whoever gets the chance takes it.’’

Ballouchy has forced his way into the lineup at left wing, and while it was partly due to Joel Lindpere’s struggles, the much-maligned Moroccan has played well. Now with Marquez suspended and Tainio out, Backe will have to pick from the trio of Ballouchy, Lindpere and Victor Palsson for two open spots in the midfield.

“There’s nothing wrong with my form. We won two games in and then I was benched,’’ said Lindpere. “(Backe) said maybe I got some knocks in the games, and one game I had to go out with injury and he said he would I’ve Mehdi a chance, and it’s a team sport. That’s the way it is. It’s a team sport and I think every player needs to do what’s best for the team.

“I play where I have to be, and where I have to play. I’ve been playing in center all my life and I miss it; one day I would love to play there fully again. But if the team needs some players to play in the middle or outside, then the players just have to do it and manage, because we are one team, if somebody gets hurt, somebody us not fit, or somebody is tired or somebody gets suspended.’’

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Soccer is like sex for fans, European study finds

April 20, 2012 , ι By NewsCore

AMSTERDAM -- Soccer fans get as excited watching a big game as they do during a night of passionate love-making, European researchers claimed. Scientists from the Netherlands and Spain studied the... Read on

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Red Bulls' Marquez suspended three games by MLS

April 19, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

After Rafa Marquez’s tackle and kick on Shea Salinas on Saturday, MLS’ Disciplinary Committee hit the Red Bulls midfielder with a three-game suspension Thursday. "The New York Red Bulls fully support... Read on

After Rafa Marquez’s tackle and kick on Shea Salinas on Saturday, MLS’ Disciplinary Committee hit the Red Bulls midfielder with a three-game suspension Thursday.
	 
"The New York Red Bulls fully support MLS’ Disciplinary Committee and its review process. We accept the League’s decision,'' the club said in a statement. "Rafa is an important player for us and we are looking forward to him being available for selection after his suspension ends.''
	 
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Marvin Chávez was also suspended for a game, for his tackle that injured Red Bulls left back Roy Miller.
	 
On a corner kick, Marquez wrapped up and took down Salinas in the 42nd minute of Saturday’s 2-2 tie. Salinas' left clavicle was broken in four pieces when he hit the ground, and he's expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks. Marquez also kicked him as the two rolled over, a poor visual component combined with his past infractions.
	 
Marquez drew a three-game ban (one for a red card and a two-game outright suspension) for throwing a ball at Landon Donovan at the end of last year’s Western Conference semifinal home leg, missing the road leg and the first two games of this year. He’ll miss six tilts in a ten-game stretch.
	 
It comes at a poor time for the Red Bulls, who are injury-ravaged. Wilman Conde and Teemu Tainio are expected to miss about a month, with Juan Agudelo also out following knee surgery. Miller is out for this week, and could miss another game or two beyond that.
	 
“Any player that puts the team at risk during a game because of cards or suspension is worrying,’’ GM Erik Soler said before the ruling was handed down. "Rafa is a special player for us. We’d rather have no incidents than any incidents, so I think with him or anybody else it’s something we’re going to speak to him about and see if there’s anything that needs adjusting.
	 
“If he gets suspended again especially at this time, it’s very unfortunate. I mean, we have Roy with a slight injury, we have Conde with an injury we have just said by to Teemu still on his crutches, so it’s not a good time for us to lose a player that’s healthy.’’

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GM Soler: Red Bulls looking to add to defense

April 17, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

Stephen Keel says the Red Bulls’ defense needs an attitude adjustment, but GM Erik Soler says it needs health...and possibly another talent infusion. Their defense is injury-riddled and badly-struggling, the two things not unrelated; and even with the transfer window closed Soler is scouring the MLS trading block for help.

Their ten goals allowed are tied for the third-worst in MLS, and they’ll face the next month minus centerback Wilman Conde and midfielder Teemu Tainio, and at least a week sans left back Roy Miller. Soler was already looking for defensive cover, but if Rafa Marquez gets suspended, that search becomes more desperate.

“The fact Teemu is out and Roy is out – not a long-term thing, but he’s still out – Conde we need to expect he’ll be on and off a bit, I think our short-term discussions have been more in the defensive ballpark,’’ said Soler, acutely aware co-MLS leading scorers Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper will cool off eventually.

“We have two guys up front they’re playing so well, they’re scoring goals, Joel (Lindpere) is starting to gear up, Dane (Richards) is looking batter. So we’re probably short-term more in need of something in the defensive ballpark. Defender or midfielder is hard to say, but that’s the way we look at it for the short-term.’’

Ever since D.C. scored its way to three titles in MLS’ infancy, stout defense has been the surest path to a title. Other than United’s first three titles, most of the other 13 champions have actually finished first in fewest goals against. With the Red Bulls sitting at third-worst, it begs the question is this a championship-caliber defense, even with Conde, Tainio and Miller all healthy?

“I think the quality is there, but people have to be in the pitch. The main worry is that we have too many injuries at the moment,’’ said Soler. “I agree; we need to defend differently. We need to stop giving away goals the way we do. Either we figure it out with the people we have, or we have to see if we can add quality.’’

At the moment they’re relying on Keel at centerback, rookie Connor Lade at left back and – should Marquez be suspended - either Lindpere or 20-year-old Victor Palsson at central midfield.

The transfer window slammed shut yesterday, and while they could still sign an out-of-contract player, it’s unlikely since they’d prefer a player who could immediately slide right into the 18-man roster on gameday, if not the starting lineup.

With Conde out, Keel has assumed a starting role alongside Markus Holgersson, who is both slow and badly-struggling. The only other healthy centerback on the roster is 23-year-old Tyler Ruthven, who has yet to appear in an MLS game after spending last year with Atlanta in the NASL and the season before with Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL second division.

“We are looking first and foremost for help the next three months. Then the window opens again and it’s a different ballpark,’’ said Soler, adding the Red Bulls would then return their focus to adding an attack-minded player as a third Designated Player over the summer.

“We primarily try to see what we can do with Conde out. You can also imagine if one of the two spots we have get injured now. You have Tyler, but he’s young and inexperienced. We need to make sure.’’

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Rafa Marquez's temper may bring another suspension, still hurting Red Bulls

April 17, 2012 , ι By BRIAN LEWIS

The Red Bulls and San Jose each took more than just a point out of Saturday’s 2-2 draw. Both teams left the game with injuries and possibly suspensions as well, as MLS is reviewing four separate incidents and contemplating retroactive disciplinary action. And naturally Rafa Marquez was mixed up in the middle of it.
	 
Marquez’ tackle and kick on Shea Salinas – a move that Jackie Chan or Donnie Yen would’ve been proud of – is the one that has drawn the most notice and is most likely to draw a multi-game ban, although it’s not out of the realm of possibility than Thierry Henry could get fined, or worse. Still, Marquez's play is coming back to haunt the Red Bulls yet again. You can view a clip below, and judge for yourself intent or what sort of penalty if any should be handed out.
	 
<iframe width="400" height="240" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ckM7zFPXPJQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
	 
“What I’ve heard is they’re going to review four incidents,’’ said Red Bulls GM Erik Soler, who more and more often is having to deal with Marquez’ flares of temper. “There are clearly incidents where they could take some action. We’ll see when the review comes. I suppose I’ll hear something.’’
	 
Marvin Chavez’s play that left Roy Miller injured (he’s expected to miss a couple weeks) and an early elbow to the face of Kenny Copper could also be potential plays to be reviewed. Offhand, Henry's studs-up two-footed tackle on Chris Wondolowski that did not result in an injury might conceivably be another.
	 
But Marquez’s play on Salinas – one that resulted in Salinas' left clavicle being broken in four pieces, and the midfielder being sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks – is the most glaring, and from both teams’ perspective, the most grating. It’s the latest in a long laundry list of examples where Marquez’s temper got the better of him, and coming back to haunt his team.
	 
“Any player that puts the team at risk during a game because of cards or suspension is worrying,’’ said Soler. “Rafa is a special player for us. We’d rather have no incidents than any incidents, so I think with him or anybody else it’s something we’re going to speak to him about and see if there’s anything that needs adjusting.’’
	 
On a corner kick, Marquez wrapped Salinas up and took him down to the ground, fortunate to escape conceding a penalty kick. Marquez landed on Salinas, and as they both rolled over, Marquez kicked Salinas. The Earthquakes midfielder acknowledged the injury happened from hitting the ground, but Marquez kicking him adds a poor visual component, combined with his testy reputation.
	 
Marquez missed the first two games of this season, as well as the final playoff defeat in Los Angeles that ended last season, for throwing a ball at Landon Donovan in a fit of petulance during the waning moments of their home leg of the Western Conference semis.
	 
With defensive midfielder Teemu Tainio and centerback Wilman Conde already out for another month, and now left back Roy Miller injured as well, a potential Marquez suspension could hardly be more ill-timed for a reeling defense.
	 
“If he gets suspended again especially at this time, it’s very unfortunate,’’ said Soler. “I mean, we have Roy with a slight injury, we have Conde with an injury we have just said by to Teemu still on his crutches, so it’s not a good time for us to lose a player that’s healthy. We’ll see. But we don’t know if it’s going to be anything or not. I hope it won’t. But we’ll prepare for whatever comes.’’

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Rooney, Van Persie, Parker battle Man City trio for EPL Player of the Year award

April 17, 2012 , ι By NewsCore

LONDON -- Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was named opposite Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart and David Silva in the race to be crowned this season's English Premier League (EPL) top... Read on

All four players may lose out to Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, whose 27 league goals have driven Arsenal back into the top three after a shaky start.

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker, who was crowned PFA (Professional Football Association) Player of the Year last season despite suffering relegation from the EPL with West Ham, completed the six-man shortlist for 2011/12.

Aguero also was listed for the Young Player of the Year award.

The 23-year-old Argentinean, who has scored 21 goals in his first season in the league since moving to City from Atletico Madrid, was named alongside a standout Spurs duo of defender Kyle Walker and winger Gareth Bale.

United striker Danny Welbeck, Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also were named. The winners of the two awards will be named at a ceremony in London on Sunday April 22.

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BRIAN LEWIS With the Post since 1998, Brian Lewis has covered the World Series, NBA Finals, Final Four, NFL playoffs, NYC Marathon, U.S. Open, World Cup, bowl games, and more than a thousand baseball games, including two perfect games at Yankee Stadium. He’s a Rutgers grad, class of 1990.

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CLEMENTE LISI Clemente Lisi is a native New Yorker and Post news reporter who spends most of his spare time playing and watching soccer. He is a regular contributor to the blog, where he writes about Italy's Serie A and the Champions League.