The Rapids on Thursday sent veteran midfielder Mark Chung to San Jose for allocation money and to free up their salary cap.
Chung, 34, was traded to the Rapids in 2002 from the MetroStars and has scored 26 goals and added 20 assists for the Rapids.
Chung said he has wanted to leave the Rapids for some time; his house has already been sold. Chung was dropped for Colorado’s past two games, and he did not travel with the team on its current two-game road trip.
“It was a great experience here in Colorado,” Chung said. “Change is always good.”
Said Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo: “He wasn’t happy. He wasn’t playing what he wanted to play.”
The allocation money from San Jose lets the Rapids sign a more expensive player in the future. Colorado has one senior international roster spot available.
Mastroeni out
The Rapids will try to shake a bad habit this weekend without one of their most steadying players.
Colorado (2-5-1) arrived in Chicago in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Fire (3-4-1) still smarting from Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to FC Dallas at the Cotton Bowl.
Defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni lasted only 15 minutes against FC Dallas and was substituted with a quadriceps strain. Mastroeni flew back to Denver and already has been replaced on the U.S. national team roster by Kerry Zavagnin for the May 28 friendly against England.
Clavijo said he was pleased with the performance against FC Dallas, but lamented individual mistakes for letting a 1-0 lead disappear. The Rapids have no points in four road games this season.
Clavijo said he probably would use Leo Cullen in Mastroeni’s spot against a Fire squad that has lost its past two games.
