The flying karate kick has long been part of Rafa Márquez's repertoire, and it made another ill-fated appearance in Copa Libertadores play on Tuesday.
With Club León tied 3-3 on aggregate against Bolivian side Bolivar but trailing on away goals in the second leg of a Round of 16 matchup, Márquez went up for a header with a little more than 10 minutes left in the match. Only he didn't so much go for the ball as he thrust his studs into the back of Bolivar's Gerardo Yecerotte.
The oh-so predictable result? Another vintage Márquez red card, once again born of frustration that ultimately resulted in a violent play. Down a man, León weren't able to score the game-winner they needed in Bolivia, eliminating the Liga MX club from Copa Libertadores.
Of course, US national team fans will recall Márquez's combination kick-headbutt on Cobi Jones at the 2002 World Cup as the Americans ran out to a famous Dos a Cero victory that propelled them on to the quarterfinals against Germany.
Then there was the elbow to Tim Howard during a World Cup qualifier in Columbus in 2009. And the the time he chucked the ball at Landon Donovan following a 2011 MLS playoff loss. Not to mention another ejection in his final match in MLS, a playoff series loss to D.C. United.
At this point, Márquez's behavior isn't shocking. It's pretty much par for the course.
Same old Rafa? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
