Westminster – After growing up in Colorado Springs, playing for Rampart High School and spending two years with the Rapids’ Boulder player development team, David Wagenfuhr seemed destined for a permanent spot with Colorado.
So much for destiny.
Wagenfuhr never played for the Rapids, but found a home with Major League Soccer leader FC Dallas (8-2-3) and has nine appearances this season after spending 2004 on the practice squad.
FC Dallas has won five of its past six games heading into tonight’s game against struggling Chivas USA, and could extend its lead over the Rapids (4-8-2) to 16 points before Saturday’s match at Invesco Field at Mile High.
FC Dallas is 2-1 in its past three games played without strikers Eddie Johnson (toe) and Carlos Ruiz (ankle).
“I think we’re developing real well,” said Wagenfuhr, a defender. “We’re getting goals from different players.”
Roberto Mina, 20, has emerged with two goals in six games and midfielder Ronnie O’Brien (five goals, five assists) is someone Wagenfuhr said “can just make a game himself.”
FC Dallas is 1-0-1 against the Rapids this season but has not won in Denver since June 16, 2001. To reverse that trend, Wagenfuhr said, FC Dallas must solve goalie Joe Cannon and keep track of striker Jeff Cunningham.
“Cunningham is always a dangerous, dangerous player,” Wagenfuhr said. “He’s a tough player to play against for 90 minutes because if you go to sleep once …”
Kotschau dropped
Veteran defender Ritchie Kotschau was dropped from the first team last week and has yet to return during the Rapids’ humble two-game winning streak.
“Obviously, I’m not happy with it. I can’t accept it,” said Kotschau, who played in 28 games last season for the Rapids. “I’ll just keep pushing in practice.”
Coach Fernando Clavijo used defenders Ricky Lewis, Mike Petke, Nat Borchers and Eric Denton last week and said the group made no mistakes.
“This is professional sports,” Clavijo said. “As individuals, I like them all. As soccer players, they need to perform and show me they belong on the field.”
Dan the man
Rookie Dan Gargan made his professional debut in the waning moments of Colorado’s nine-man victory over Los Angeles last week and followed it up by assisting on Cunningham’s third goal Saturday.
Gargan said he noticed Chivas USA’s defense was pushing up so he ripped a long throw down the left side that sent Cunningham off to the races in the 78th minute.
The Georgetown product credited assistant coaches John Murphy and Steve Trittschuh with getting him ready to take advantage of his time off the bench.
“For me, it’s just about feeling more comfortable on the ball,” Gargan said.
Footnotes
Fabrice Noel’s paperwork arrived last week from Haiti, and the Rapids said they are waiting on his work permit before making his signing official. … Countryman Stephane Guillaume is in Miami waiting on his paperwork from club Aigle-Noire, which has not been sent to the Rapids since it was requested in the spring.
