The Rafa diaries: still awaiting suspension verdict

Today. Maybe tomorrow.

One way or the other, we’ll find out well ahead of the Red Bulls’ Sunday date with D.C. United whether their Mexican international will be involved. (Doubtful, by the way.)

Meanwhile, a bit of Marquez-related news was made yesterday when a member of the Red Bulls’ organization spoke for the first time on the latest Marquez mischief.  Red Bulls general manager Erik Soler said Tuesday that he is hopeful for leniency but that his club is “prepared for whatever comes.”

And how does he feel generally about Marquez’s inclination for creating commotion and the ever growing public outcry over it all?

“We’d rather have no incidences than any incidence,” Soler said following the Red Bulls workout Tuesday afternoon. “But with him, or with anybody else, it’s something we’re going to speak to him about and see if there’s anything we need to adjust.”

It’s not a good time for the Red Bulls – although perhaps Marquez should have considered that before we went MMA on Shea Salinas, who has forgiven New York’s midfielder. (He’ll have plenty of time to contemplate the blessed virtue of forgiveness over the next 6-8 weeks as he recovers from the latest Marquez mayhem.

It’s a bad time for the Red Bulls because they already are missing left back Roy Miller, center back Wilman Conde and holding midfielder Teemu Tainio.

Joel Lindpere is the most likely replacement for Tainio / Marquez at holding midfielder, with Mehdi Ballouchy occupying Lindpere’s spot on the left. (Yes, it’s still Lindpere’s “spot” until Ballouchy makes a few more starts there.)