Back to the Philadelphia Union Newsfeed

After strong rookie season in MLS, Marquez appears ready to take next step in development

It was a seemingly innocuous injury to Michael Lahoud on May 2, 2015. Merely seconds after kick-off in the Union’s home match with Toronto FC, the veteran defensive midfielder pulled up with a quad injury, forcing Jim Curtin to burn an early sub.

As Maurice Edu headed up to the midfield to take Lahoud’s spot, on came a bearded, burly 22-year-old in a substation that created more questions than applause as fans were still piling into their respective seats at Talen Energy Stadium.

But it was a defining moment for Richie Marquez. And it may become a defining moment for the franchise.