Red Bulls' 'cancer' blamed for SKC loss

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 20, 2012

[MLS SPOTLIGHT] Before the game, Thierry Henry warned about the New York Red Bulls' problems giving up early goals. Afterward, Rafael Marquez called the Bulls' propensity to fall behind early a "cancer" as they gave up two goals in the first 19 minutes and blew a chance to take over the lead in MLS's Eastern Conference with a 2-0 loss at home to first-place Sporting Kansas City. Just as disappointing as the result was the announced crowd of just 10,286 fans for the big Eastern Conference match.

U.S. international Graham Zusi had a role in both goals. On the first, his free kick hit the crossbar and bounced back to Matt Besler, who fed C.J. Sapong for his seventh goal of the season.

Zusi took the league in assists with his 14th of the season when his corner kick found Kei Kamara on the six-yard line for a snap header.

Marquez blamed the goals on a lack of focus.

“We’re not paying attention to our defensive assignments and we need to keep working,” he said. “This has been our cancer since the first game of the season, but the one that needs to address that is the head coach.”