Westminster – The Rapids will be running out of space tonight, even before they take on San Jose in the narrow confines of Spartan Stadium.
Nearing the midpoint of the Major League Soccer season, the Rapids (4-9-2, 14 points) hold the Western Conference’s final playoff spot by two points over expansion club Real Salt Lake.
San Jose (5-3-6, 21 points) can pull even with Los Angeles with a victory tonight and leave the Rapids drifting 10 points below.
“Scoring the first goal at Spartan is very, very important,” said Rapids goalie Joe Cannon, who won the MLS Cup with the Earthquakes in 2001. “That goes for both teams. I think that’s why they come out so strong. …
“If you don’t sustain the same energy they do, it’s not going to be fun.”
After Saturday’s lackluster 3-1 loss at home to FC Dallas, Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said his team needs to find its passion for the game and attack the Earthquakes.
“If we allow San Jose to receive and play, we’re definitely going to be there for a long night,” Clavijo said. “We have to make sure we pressure and we pressure high.”
San Jose is unbeaten in its past four games and unbeaten at home this season. The Earthquakes have outscored the past two teams to visit Spartan Stadium 6-0, including Saturday’s 3-0 victory over rival Los Angeles.
Pablo is golden
Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni is practicing with the U.S. national team in preparation for next month’s Gold Cup. The defensive midfielder joined the team shortly after Saturday’s loss.
Mastroeni will miss Colorado’s next three games at least.
Freeman ready
Rookie defender Hunter Freeman returned to the U.S. last week and said representing the country in the World Youth Championship in Holland was inspiring. Since being eliminated by Italy, Freeman said he is eager to play again for the Rapids.
“It’s always nice after a loss to get back and hopefully get a game in and get it off your mind,” Freeman said. “The college guys get to go home for the summer and think about it.”
Chivas USA shake-up
Chivas USA defender Ryan Suarez was released Monday by the club for getting into a heated argument with coach Hans Westerhof after being substituted in Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Kansas City.
Suarez had played in 15 games this season and was one of a few players with MLS experience on the expansion club’s roster.
Co-owner Antonio Cue told the league’s website that “things were not at a point where they could be mended.”
Chivas USA also released defender Alfonso Loera and said former Atlas striker Juan Pablo Garcia could sign with the club as early as Friday.
Footnotes
The Rapids waived rookie forward Eugene Sepuya on Tuesday. … Real Salt Lake waived defender Marlon Rojas on Monday to clear a roster spot for a trade the club said it expects to announce this week. … New England forward Pat Noonan was selected MLS player of the week.
