Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
RBNY Downs Portland (Without Rafa Marquez), Stays In Playoffs Hunt
By
Dan Dickinson
Published Sep 25, 2011
Modified Sep 25, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dan Dickinson
Published Sep 25, 2011
Modified Sep 25, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After Wednesday's thrashing by Salt Lake, the New York Red Bulls faced a do-or-die match against the visiting Portland Timbers. With both teams hovering around the final wild card spot, a loss would have all but eliminated New York from the playoff race.
With Rafa Marquez suspended by the team for his disparaging comments about his teammates to the media, and defenders Chris Albright and Roy Miller out with injuries, coach Hans Backe turned to Carlos Mendes and Stephen Keel to fill out the back line. Dane Richards danced in a goal in the 21st minute, and a controversial handball red card against Portland's Kalif Alhassan in the 64th minute put NY up 2-0 on a Luke Rodgers penalty. The makeshift defense made the result stand in front of a sold-out crowd, limiting the Timbers to just three shots on goal.
The win pushes RBNY (8-7-15) back into the final wildcard spot, with rivals to the south DC United just a point behind (and with two games in hand). Strangely, the team also finds itself only three points back from the top of the Eastern Conference. With their playoff hopes still alive, the Red Bulls travel to Toronto next Saturday, desperate to solidify their position in the standings.
Tagged
portland timbers
rafa marquez
red bulls
red bulls new york
soccer
Dan Dickinson
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases
Two people who were found soaking wet and smelling of sewage say they went underground to look for jewelry, according to police and a criminal complaint.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. ET
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
News
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .