Orange doesn’t suit Greg Vanney, especially for a Rapids defense that has been seeing red of late.
But orange was the color Vanney wore in practice Wednesday, signifying he is a “non-contact” player recovering from an ankle injury.
The red cape hanging around the Rapids is a three-game losing streak and a defense that has allowed six goals in that stretch, many of them frustratingly ugly.
It’s no small coincidence the Rapids are 1-3-1 in the past five games since Vanney, 33, the only naturally left-footed player on the team, tweaked his ankle on the artificial grass at Giants Stadium on May 13.
And it’s no small coincidence Vanney is expected to get back on the field Saturday as the Rapids (4-5-3) host Western Conference leaders FC Dallas (7-6-1) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Before being jettisoned for salary purposes, Vanney played the past two seasons with the Hoops, who were knocked out of the playoffs both times by Colorado.
The subplot Saturday could be rich for the former UCLA standout and U.S. international, who honed his tactical approach to the game on the French island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon.
“I think it’s less symbolic that we’re playing Dallas and more symbolic with the way the last three games have gone,” Vanney said. “That’s the important thing to us is that we’ve found ourselves in a hole now. It’s OK if you hit a speed bump, lose a game here and there or lose two, but not three in a row. Now you see yourself in a slump.”
Give Vanney a bicorn hat and he could be Napoleon during practice. As the Rapids run defensive drills he stands by the goal organizing the back line, analyzing its shapes and shifts as he learned in more than 60 games for tiny FC Bastia in France’s Ligue 1.
“The only way we could survive week in and week out was if we played extremely organized soccer,” he said. “Our preparation and understanding of our tactics and the game plan for any team we played against was absolutely critical.”
With Vanney out, Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo has used Chris Wingert and Brandon Prideaux to fill in, but teams continue to have success attacking that side.
Five of the six goals the Rapids have allowed in the past three games either began or finished on Colorado’s left side. It’s a position that has been an aggravation for Clavijo since he benched former Rapid Eric Denton early last season.
Having a left-sided player allows better crosses to the right side for winger Terry Cooke, and more possession out of the back. Vanney’s presence also helps the midfield, which hasn’t had a true left-sided player since Dedi Ben Dayan returned to Israel last summer.
“We got two options: We can cry about it, or play correct,” Clavijo said. “I’m not going to cry.”
As Vanney sees it, the Rapids are defending too deep in their zone and not making opposing forwards work enough for space. Injuries to Prideaux, normally a right back, and Ugo Ihemelu have meant Clavijo’s top defensive foursome has played together in only three games this season, and not since April 22.
It has been a frustrating skid. But goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul is confident the Rapids are on the verge of breaking loose in a big way.
“Once we minimize those little tiny mistakes, it’s going to be very difficult to break us down,” Coundoul said. “I can feel the guys really angry after these last two games, and everybody is ready to do something big this coming game. You’ll see.”
Welcome back
Who: Greg Vanney
Age: 33
Position: Left back.
His résumé: UCLA standout signed with Los Angeles Galaxy in 1996 where he was twice named to the Major League Soccer Best XI and played in three MLS Cup Finals. Joined France’s FC Bastia in 2002 before joining FC Dallas in 2005. Traded to the Rapids in January for two draft picks.
For the Rapids: Has played in seven games but missed the past five with an ankle injury. Is expected to return Saturday to face his former club.
