New York Red Bulls Vs. LA Galaxy, 2011 MLS: Rafael Marquez To Play In Midfield

Read More: Rafael Marquez (DEFENDER - Mexico), New York Red Bulls

Rafael Marquez has come under plenty of heat in recent months. Ignore his decision to tell reporters that he believes that he is too good for his teammates, the real problem for Marquez is that he is a highly paid, big name player who has played terribly. His move to the defense this year has been a disaster, although odds are that it is less the position and more his attitude that has been the motivation. Nevertheless, New York Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe is going to see if a move to the midfield can put a spark under Marquez.

Backe said that the Red Bulls take on the Galaxy on Tuesday, Marquez will play alongside Teemu Taino in the center of the midfield. That is where Marquez played in New York's last match, a draw against Toronto that marked the Mexican's return from a one-match suspension for criticizing the quality of his teammates to the media. Marquez's move to the midfield will also push Dax McCarty to the bench, another shocking reminder of how bad the Red Bulls season has gone considering the redhead is the player they got in exchange for MVP candidate Dwayne De Rosario and now he's sitting on the bench

Marquez played in the midfield last season and has played there plenty in his career so the position change will not be a shock to the veteran. It leaves Tim Ream and Stephen Keel in the center of the defense and makes it so even if Marquez decides to be lazy and ineffective again, at least he's making those mistakes farther away from goal.