Westminster – Because the Rapids’ performance in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the MetroStars was so bad in so many areas, it almost has made it easier for coach Fernando Clavijo to dismiss it as an aberration.
Although it doesn’t make it any less sobering.
“That was the first wake-up call that I had, because every game was getting better and better,” Clavijo said. “We had an opportunity to take control of things and win this game, and we didn’t do that.”
The Rapids (1-3-1, four points) won’t dwell on the past for long as they prepare to visit the Los Angeles Galaxy (3-1-0, nine points) Sunday at The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy defeated FC Dallas 2-0 to win its third consecutive game since newly acquired forward Landon Donovan entered the lineup.
Donovan has three goals and two assists this season.
Clavijo plans to change his starting 11 for the match. Clavijo said he expects forward Jean Philippe Peguero to start and is optimistic Jeff Cunningham could join him. However, dislodging forward Luchi Gonzalez won’t be easy, because the rookie was the only player to draw Clavijo’s praise after Saturday’s home defeat.
Clavijo said the Rapids were overconfident against the MetroStars but that the Galaxy will bring out the best in the team.
“We got knocked out (Saturday), but we have another 28 rounds to go,” Clavijo said.
Elbow room
Clavijo said MLS is investigating Pablo Mastroeni’s apparent elbow to the head of Metro- Stars’ forward Abbe Ibrahim as the two players tangled during a free kick late in Saturday’s game.
Clavijo said Monday he had not seen the incident, which did not draw a foul but left Ibrahim on the ground for a few minutes.
Mastroeni said after Saturday’s match he didn’t expect to be punished because Ibrahim had a hold of his jersey and he only snapped his arm back in an effort to free himself.
Reserves lose; Lewis improves
The Rapids’ reserve squad lost 3-2 to the MetroStars’ reserve squad Sunday morning at Broomfield High School.
Defender Ricky Lewis played 90 minutes and hopes to make the 16-man traveling squad when the Rapids face his former team on Mother’s Day. Lewis, who has yet to play since suffering a facial fracture in the preseason, appeared in 13 games for the Galaxy last year before being dealt to Colorado in August.
“Whether there’s a change or not, whether I come in and play, I obviously just want the team to do well,” Lewis said.
Footnote
Amado Guevara’s hat trick against the Rapids earned the MetroStars midfielder player of the week honors from MLS. The league’s reigning most valuable player helped his squad win its first game of the season, shattering Colorado’s 12-game regular-season home unbeaten streak.
