Despite the fact that the Monarcas may very well win the Clausura 2011, Rafael Marquez Lugo will probably not get all the recognition he deserves from his splendid season and post-season efforts.
By: C.I. Sanchez

Alas he has been overlooked for Mexico’s Gold Cup squad—eclipsed by Monterrey’s Aldo De Nigris and his own teammate, Elias Hernandez. Yet Marquez Lugo has been a consistent drive in Morelia’s fight to the championship and should be allowed to play for El Tri.

Perhaps the grounds for neglecting Marquez Lugo centre on the notion that he is neither an “old pro” nor a “superstar kid.” He has not had the experience of an “old pro,” like that other Rafael Marquez of FC Barcelona and now NYC Red Bulls.

Yet he does not have that “superstar kid” aura like Manchester United’s Chicharito. Rather, for most of his playing career, Marquez Lugo has been bouncing from club to club trying to find a place that fits. He found it this season with Morelia.

Seasoned manager Tomas Boy, who has been with the club three separate times, has done a magnificent job of sticking with and trusting Marquez Lugo. After the whacking from Atlas, Boy let him lead Morelia’s attack.

The Monarcas, which ironically placed 2nd in Group 3 under 1st place UNAM, ended the season tied with America as the number one offense in the Clausura—each with 31 goals. Of those 31, Marquez Lugo scored 9 and assisted with 3. His shots on goal rate was an impressive 54% (15 on goal/28 total shots), and his percentage of goals to shots was a respectable 32%--that is 9 goals from 28 shots! That was not so bad for a player on loan from Atlante!

On the contrary, two strikers chosen ahead of Marquez Lugo for Mexico’s national team had indifferent results. Fellow teammate Hernandez finished with 5 goals (albeit 7 assists) and a 55% rate of goals to shots (5 goals from a mere 9 shots). De Nigris ended his season with 4 goals and 2 assists; his percentage of goals to shots was 14%--not terribly impressive but somehow still deserving of a spot on the squad.

Now that Marquez Lugo has really hit a strong form in the Liguilla (the championship knockout round), many must wonder why he was omitted from continuing his fantastic run this summer. Surely, he can partner up front with stars like Chicharito and Giovanni Dos Santos against El Salvador, Costa Rica, Cuba and others in the Gold Cup.

Thus far, Marquez Lugo has had 4 goals in 4 games coming from 10 shots—8 them on goal! He is a creative player, he has a superb finish, and he carries a cool head during stormy moments. Better yet, he shoots and scores.

What more must he do to get a place on the Mexican national team’s roster?