Seventeen days is long enough for a team to cool down. The Rapids just hope they haven’t cooled too much.
Colorado returned Monday from the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y., and began preparation for Saturday’s rematch with defending Major League Soccer champion D.C. United.
The Rapids blitzed United 6-2 in Monday’s exhibition match, their first action against an MLS team since a 2-0 victory over New England on Aug. 17.
The U.S. World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Saturday means the Rapids will face United at Invesco Field at Mile High without leading scorer Jeff Cunningham (11 goals) and team captain Pablo Mastroeni.
The resurgence of striker Jean Philippe Peguero (three goals in three games) has kept Colorado’s offense on track, but the extended layoff is not ideal for a team that has lost just once in its past seven games.
“The bad thing is you have a streak of games where you are playing well and then you have a break,” coach Fernando Clavijo said.
Clavijo said strikers Wolde Harris, Fabrice Noel and Sasha Gotsmanov and forward Luchi Gonzalez will compete this week to start with Peguero.
United is a fitting opponent for the Rapids. United had a losing record this time last season but came together down the stretch to win its fourth MLS Cup in nine seasons.
Melamed wants out
Rookie Guy Melamed has asked to be released, after discussions about him agreeing to a loan spell in his native Israel or the United Soccer League First Division broke down, according to Clavijo.
Melamed, 25, has played in 14 games this season but has appeared as a substitute once since July 23. Melamed occupies one of the Rapids’ four international roster spots. The team would like to free a spot to sign striker Diego Serna.
Clavijo said he does not want to release the former Boston College standout and wants him to stay while he tries to acquire a green card. Clavijo said discussions with Melamed stopped when the defensive midfielder said he wanted to be released.
“Out of the blue, he decided he wanted to be waived,” Clavijo said.
Melamed was not at practice Tuesday and Clavijo said he had not spoken with him. Clavijo said he was holding a meeting with Rapids general manager Charlie Wright Tuesday night to discuss the team’s options.
Real threat
Expansion club Real Salt Lake signed forward Melvin Tarley on Monday. The 22-year-old Liberian helped knock Salt Lake and the Rapids out of the U.S. Open Cup while playing for the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division.
Tarley scored two goals against Salt Lake in a 6-4 victory July 13 and scored four goals Aug. 3 as the Thunder dumped the Rapids 4-1.
The Rapids face Salt Lake three times in the last nine games of the regular season.
Footnotes
New England forward Taylor Twellman was named MLS player of the week for his game-winning strike Saturday that gave the Eastern Conference-leading Revolution a 2-1 victory over D.C. United. … Chivas USA goalkeeper Martín Zuniga’s 12-year, seven-club career came to an end Monday as he retired to assume the role of soccer ambassador with Chivas USA.
