The Rapids went to Texas one year ago and played perhaps the most defining game of soccer in the franchise’s history.
Colorado played FC Dallas for more than an hour with one less player, rallied with a goal in overtime and eventually beat the Hoops on penalty kicks.
On Saturday, Colorado must do something like that again if it wants to return to the Western Conference final of the Major League Soccer playoffs.
After losing last Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Rapids trail FC Dallas 2-1 in the aggregate-scoring series. They must score at Pizza Hut Park and they must concede nothing. Basically, they must do what they have managed only twice this season in 16 road games.
Colorado needs something special. The Rapids need their young players to perform like veterans and their veterans to be superhuman.
“I think if you talked to each veteran, it may be tough to admit, but they need to step it up,” goalie Joe Cannon said.
If there could be a soundtrack for the Rapids’ trip to Texas it would be Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding out for a Hero.” Sure, it’s an annoying song from the ’80s, but the Rapids could stand being annoying if it meant frustrating FC Dallas like they did last season.
Then, the Rapids kept fighting back, to the point of unnerving the favored Hoops.
With their season on the line, the Rapids got a goal from their top scorer (Jeff Cunningham), a second and more crucial goal from a veteran (Ritchie Kotschau) and had their injured goalie (Cannon) stop a penalty kick to set up the victory.
Now what? Cunningham and Kotschau were traded away. Who, then, will fill the void?
Nicolas Hernandez was signed in the offseason to replace Cunningham. The Argentine striker co-leads the Rapids this season with seven goals but hasn’t scored since Sept. 2 – nine games ago.
Fresh off serving a two-game suspension, defender Mike Petke could be due for his first points as a Rapid. Petke joined the Rapids last season with 10 goals and six assists in his previous eight seasons.
Jovan Kirovski joined just before the trade deadline last year. The veteran striker scored five goals at the start of the season but hasn’t found the back of the net since May 27.
Veterans Kyle Beckerman and Pablo Mastroeni have a combined one assist in 29 career playoff games.
Clint Mathis was swapped for Cunningham last fall, but the MLS and U.S. national team veteran has just two goals and one assist in 26 games for Colorado.
The veteran formula certainly worked Saturday for FC Dallas. The Hoops got a goal from perennial all-star Carlos Ruiz and Ronnie O’Brien’s pass set up the game-winning goal.
“A little bit of luck is going to have to come to our side eventually,” Mathis said after practice Thursday.
Luck? Sounds like the stuff of heroes.
Rapids at FC Dallas
What: Conference semifinal
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas
Aggregate score: FC Dallas 2-1
It’s the final leg of the aggregate-scoring series. Rapids must win by one goal to force overtime and two goals for the outright victory. Penalty kicks would follow overtime.
