Dedi Ben-Dayan is not ready for the adventure to end.
Ben-Dayan was looking for a new quest when he decided to sign with the Rapids in August, spurning offers from teams in Turkey, Romania and Japan.
Although more than 1,000 miles removed from an ocean, which he dearly loves, the native of Israel is having the time of his life playing a key role in the Rapids’ playoff run.
“I don’t want to finish the season, because we’re getting better and better,” Ben-Dayan said.
After outlasting FC Dallas in a two-game series – Ben-Dayan called the second contest one of the top games he had experienced – the Rapids are one game from an unlikely berth in the Major League Soccer Cup final.
A victory Saturday over the Los Angeles Galaxy at Invesco Field at Mile High would extend the Rapids’ unbeaten streak to nine games, while offering sweet validation for a roster retooled by first-year coach Fernando Clavijo.
Ben-Dayan, 26, is one of many unlikely heroes who signed this season. He recorded an assist in his Aug. 17 debut and scored a goal in four of the last six regular-season games.
A veteran of the Israeli national team, Ben-Dayan won two league championships in seven seasons with Maccabi Tel-Aviv. After being loaned out to various clubs, Ben-Dayan had his agent shop him internationally.
Clavijo said the Rapids were looking in Israel for a defender before the trade that brought in Mike Petke when he found out about a left-sided midfielder with a playboy’s reputation.
“Maybe when I was 19 or 18,” Ben-Dayan said of that label.
On the field, Ben-Dayan’s strengths are passing and positioning.
“He’s not a guy that’s going to beat anybody with his pace, but will always be there when the ball gets there because his timing and knowledge are superb,” Clavijo said.
Along with Eric Denton and Ritchie Kotschau, Ben-Dayan gives the Rapids depth on the left side, arguably the most troublesome position in soccer. Ben-Dayan defines himself in a much bigger picture.
“I’m so thankful to God every morning that I wake up and hear the birds and see the sun rise,” Ben-Dayan said.
“So, of course I’m happy that I’m left-footed, or whatever God gives me is good.”
Quiet and well-spoken, Ben- Dayan has found comfort with his girlfriend and in the local Jewish community. He calls his new teammates “family,” even though most are new to the franchise and hail from around the globe.
“I haven’t been on a team that has a group this close, even off the field,” said forward Jovan Kirovski, who was traded from the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 13. “I think that’s why you see everybody fighting for each other.”
The Rapids don’t want that feeling to come to an end Saturday against the Galaxy.
“We have something special going here,” Kirovski said.
