November 5, 2012
MARQUEZ STATUS
Backe: it could be a late decision Wednesday

Red Buls coach Hans Backe says that Rafa Marquez has been "very frustrated" with his calf." Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

Whether the injury-prone Rafa Marquez plays against D.C. United on Wednesday night, it will probably be a late decision by coach Hans Backe.

Marquez was forced out of the Red Bulls' 1-1 draw at United with calf tighness in the opening leg of their MLS Eastern Conference semifinal series on Saturday night. The Red Bulls and United will tussle at Red Bull Arena at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

“He was very frustrated with the calf," Backe was quoted on the Red Bulls website. "He has been having that, picking up that calf up a number of times this season."

Backe told the website that that Mexican international veteran's injury appeared to be "a soft one." He was expected to undergo an MRI, the website reported.

“I haven’t checked with the trainers today," Backe said after practice at Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, N.J. on Monday. "Probably it has to be I would say a late decision, I would guess. I don’t think it’s a big one, but definitely we will have to wait until tomorrow to tell."

If Marquez canot play, Backe can move Heath Pearce from left fullback and back into central defender alongside Markus Holgersson. Roy Miller, who replaced Marquez at halftime in D.C., and Wilman Conde would be the best bets to play at left back.