The last time the Philadelphia Union faced Columbus Crew SC, they gave up four goals in an ugly loss at MAPFRE Stadium on April 25.
But as the Union prepare for a rematch with Columbus on 1983228697" tabindex="0">Wednesday at PPL Park (1983228698" tabindex="0">7 pm ET, MLS LIVE), head coach Jim Curtin has reason to believe his backline will be better equipped to deal with Golden Boot leader Kei Kamara, playmaker Federico Higuain and the rest of the potent Columbus attack.
That’s because of Richie Marquez.
A week after the Union’s defeat in Columbus, Marquez was called upon in a pinch to make his MLS debut at center back. The second-year pro impressed in that game – a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC – and he’s yet to relinquish his spot, emerging as a stabilizing force on a backline that desperately needed a boost.
“I was nervous for him,” Curtin said. “And he rose to the occasion. All players have these moments in their career where it’s either sink or swim. Sometimes, it comes unexpected, but you have to be ready to answer the bell. And Richie was. He’s been great for us.”
Marquez has certainly looked up to task as an MLS starter – a far cry from his days with the Division III University of Redlands. And it’s an opportunity that the 23-year-old is relishing, especially as he prepares to start his first-ever game at PPL Park on Wednesday.
“At the end of the day, it was my dream,” Marquez told MLSsoccer.com. “I don’t look at any of the downsides because I can’t find any. I get to do something I love, and I look at it as a blessing. To be honest, I enjoy it every day that I’m out here.”
The Union have rotated their center backs for much of the season, but Curtin is currently high on the pairing of Marquez and Maurice Edu, saying that Steven Vitoria “will have to wait to get back into the mix” if the club is playing well when he returns from a hamstring strain that’s kept him out of the last five matches.
Marquez also likes the partnership, which allows him to lean on the Union captain for guidance.
“He’s a good leader,” Marquez said of Edu. “He’s always there to give me pointers. He definitely helps players build confidence, that’s for sure. He’s been there for me quite a lot – in training sessions and even during the game.”
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While Marquez has been something of a revelation over the past month, especially at winning aerial battles – something the 6-foot-3 defender says he’s “always taken pride in” – he knows there are still things he needs to learn. Curtin, for instance, believes he can get more comfortable passing out of the back.
But after four MLS games, the early reviews are in for Marquez – and they’re glowing.
“He’s a guy that’s going to be a part of things here for a while just because he has so many intangibles that you can’t coach,” said Curtin, who spent nine years as an MLS center back. “At 6-3, he’s able to jump as high as anyone on the roster. He’s able to run with anyone on the roster. He has the athletic ability to be an effective MLS center back. It’s a hard position in this league, and he’s doing it well.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
