Defining moments often are hidden for years. Not for the Rapids.
The biggest event in coach Fernando Clavijo’s short tenure and since Kroenke Sports Enterprises purchased the team in 2003 came last season in the Rapids’ stunning Major League Soccer playoff victory over FC Dallas.
The Rapids rallied twice on the road, played down a player for more than an hour and still booked their place in the Western Conference final on Jean Philippe Peguero’s converted penalty kick.
“It gives us a sense of belonging,” Clavijo said, “that we have a right in this league.”
Of course, one team’s euphoria is another team’s horror.
“In my short five-year career, it was probably one of the worst losses I’ve been a part of,” Dallas defender Chris Gbandi said Wednesday.
The teams meet for the first time since that fateful October night at 7 p.m. Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High in the second game of Colorado’s four- game homestand.
The Rapids (1-1) are bullish after dismantling Columbus in the second half of Saturday’s 3-1 victory, and confident they can maintain their form – one of last season’s major shortcomings.
Clavijo said the playoff win over Dallas was a crucial steppingstone for the Rapids to meet their goal this season of winning their first MLS Cup.
Clavijo declared midfielder Clint Mathis (knee) and Dedi Ben-Dayan (hamstring) fit, and the Rapids get Pablo Mastroeni back from suspension.
“We are on a high note,” Clavijo said.
FC Dallas is searching for a similar mind-set. The Hoops are 2-0, but still dogged by questions about their young defense and the durability of their offense, which will be tested Saturday with the injury absence of enigmatic striker Carlos Ruiz (hamstring).
Despite those questions, the loss of striker Eddie Johnson and last season’s playoff collapse, the Hoops remain one of the favorites to win the Western Conference. A bonus appeal is the return of the MLS Cup final to their home field in Frisco, Texas.
While subplots of revenge and exorcising ghosts are obvious, the Dallas players aren’t ready to play along – at least not yet.
“We can’t take back what happened last year,” Gbandi said. “We can go out there and show them it’s early in the season, but what happened last year isn’t going to happen this year.
“It’s a little too early for revenge.”
Dallas veteran defender Greg Vanney said the team has benefited from a renewed sense of accountability. Vanney said the coaches and players have been put on notice since the arrival of new general manager Michael Hitchcock and are expected to perform or be replaced.
To Vanney, getting knocked out so rudely last year was a learning experience.
“It either crushes you and you never recover, or it motivates you,” Vanney said. “It wasn’t a crushing blow.”
Saturday’s game
Who: Rapids (1-1) vs. FC Dallas (2-0)
What: Rematch of MLS Western Conference semifinal
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Invesco Field at Mile High
