Pablo Mastroeni is pretty sure nothing abnormal happens to the Rapids when they sleep in hotels. No food poisoning. No amnesia. No spying from Norman Bates.
At the same time, the team captain and seven-time all-star knows not many good things have happened to the Rapids this season when they wake up on the road and try to play soccer.
Despite a 7-6-3 record at the midpoint of the season, one point shy of the franchise’s best start since Major League Soccer stopped using shootouts to decide regular-season games in 2000, the Rapids are focusing on packing a consistent offense for their next road trip.
Colorado is 6-1-2 at Invesco Field at Mile High this season – the second-best home record in MLS – but has the second-worst mark on the road at 1-5-1.
Although coaches and players alike say the roster coach Fernando Clavijo has assembled in his second season is more talented than the squad that advanced to the Western Conference final last season, the team remains prone to emotional lapses.
That point was driven home in the muggy heat of Giants Stadium on Friday afternoon as the Rapids were shut out for the fourth time this season, 1-0 by the struggling New York Red Bulls.
“It’s more mental,” Mastroeni said. “We don’t go out there and forget how to play soccer.”
Nor has the team forgotten how much has changed since last year, when the Rapids bumbled out to a 4-10-2 start before catching fire down the stretch with the help of a favorable schedule. Colorado will play four of its next five at Invesco Field, beginning Thursday, and then finish the season with eight of its final 11 games on the road.
That daunting run could decide whether the Rapids hold on to one of the Western Conference’s four playoff spots.
But rather than fret, the Rapids are looking for the fight.
“We have a team built here to win a championship,” forward Jovan Kirovski said. “When we step out on the field, we’re not afraid of anybody. We can beat anybody.”
The Rapids are the only team this season to beat runaway leader D.C. United, but they also have been outplayed at home by Houston, are winless in two games against Chivas USA and have scraped out 1-0 victories in games that should have been much easier.
Colorado’s defense has been solid, and its midfield has been much improved with the play of winger Terry Cooke, who leads MLS with eight assists, and Kyle Beckerman, who has matched his career total for goals (three) this season. The Rapids possess the ball and can also attack from the left with Dedi Ben-Dayan and in the center with Beckerman or Clint Mathis.
Forwards Nicolas Hernandez and Kirovski have taken turns getting hot, but both – along with Thiago Martins and rookie Jacob Peterson – have squandered too many scoring chances for the offensive-minded Clavijo, who still is considering adding another striker to the roster.
“We need to find other ways to score besides getting the ball out to ‘Cookie’ and crossing it,” goalie Joe Cannon said. “We need to find other areas of our offense that can pick it up. I think right now we’re a one-dimensional team on offense. We just need to produce more.”
When scoring first, the Rapids are tops in MLS with a 5-0-1 record. Frustratingly, the Rapids are 2-6-2 when surrendering the first goal and a dismal 0-5-1 when trailing at halftime.
Fixing that habit is mental, Clavijo said, and tactical. Never one to play for a tie, Clavijo said his philosophy might change as the playoff race heats up.
“I think the second part of the season is going to be different,” Clavijo said. “The second part is going to be how we play those road games. Are we going to open up as much as we do all the time? Maybe not.
“What I feel is right is maybe not right for points.”
REPORT CARD
As the Rapids prepare for the second half of their season, which begins Thursday night against Chivas USA at Invesco Field at Mile High, freelance MLS reporter Brian Forbes grades their 7-6-3 performance:
FORWARDS
Although deeper and with more versatile players than in past seasons, finishing on chances remains a key inhibitor to results at home and on the road. Jovan Kirovski (five goals) and Nicolas Hernandez (four) are the favored tandem, but neither has set up the other for a goal this season. Grade: C
MIDFIELDERS
With Terry Cooke and Dedi Ben-Dayan healthy and Kyle Beckerman having a career year, the midfield is the most improved area. When the Rapids are clicking, they possess and distribute the ball well and have the ability to score from a variety of spots. Depth on either wing remains suspect. Grade: B
DEFENSE
Mike Petke and Aitor Karanka have solidified the middle, although a dominant, organizing voice on the field still is needed. Eric Denton remains durable on the left, but the right side is up for grabs with Hunter Freeman, Dan Gargan and possibly Chris Wingert. Grade: B
GOALIE
Joe Cannon has been steady, and backup Bouna Coundoul proved himself worthy by filling in for five games. With Matt Jordan healthy, the depth and competition is excellent. However, the team is minus-2 in goal margin this season. Grade: B
COACH
Fernando Clavijo has stayed consistent with his lineup and hasn’t appeared to make any rash changes or stick with struggling players for too long. The team’s aggressive style is fun to watch when it clicks, but can overwork itself to a standstill when the goals don’t come. Clavijo said he needs one more season to complete his personnel moves. Grade: B
