COMMERCE CITY — Aaron Pitchkolan is coming home. His FC Dallas teammates might feel the same way.
The former Regis High School standout is securing as many tickets as he can find ahead of Sunday’s visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, where the Hoops (3-3-4) have their own key. The Rapids (4-5) are 0-3-2 at home against the Hoops since last beating them Sept. 4, 2004, at Invesco Field.
“It’s a dream come true to come back and play in a place like that,” Pitchkolan said of DSG Park, which recently held a massive tournament hosted by his former club team, Real Colorado.
The fourth-year defender/midfielder out of West Virginia made his pro debut in a 2005 win over Colorado. He has played in seven games this season and came on after halftime Wednesday as FC Dallas gave up a late goal in a 2-2 tie with Houston.
Pitchkolan said “shock waves” were sent through the organization when general manager Michael Hitchcock fired coach Steve Morrow after eight games following a 5-1 thrashing by the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 18. Assistant Marco Ferruzzi is the interim coach.
“You don’t see coaching changes in professional sports that quick,” said Pitchkolan, who called the move a good wake-up call.
FC Dallas is 1-0-1 under Ferruzzi, while the Rapids are trying to bounce back from their tepid 2-1 loss at home last week to Chivas USA.
Burpo time.
New goalkeeper Preston Burpo needed six minutes to make his mark in Tuesday’s 1-0 U.S. Open Cup play-in game victory over the Galaxy. Burpo came up with some huge saves throughout the first half to smooth a rough start before Conor Casey scored the winner in the 82nd minute.
“Playing (with the) first team is a lot more fun than sitting on the end of the bench,” Burpo said. “I was a little wound up because I wanted to do well, especially your first ‘real game.’ ”
Burpo, 35, will play his first league game for the Rapids on Sunday for Bouna Coundoul, who is on duty with Senegal.
Congested schedule.
Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo vowed to make changes last weekend, although his hand will be limited. The Rapids have league games each weekend, followed by reserve games and another U.S. Open Cup game Wednesday at Kansas City.
“I’m looking at healthy bodies first,” Clavijo said.
The striking tandem of Casey and Tom McManus drew praise for their strong linking play Tuesday. In midfield, Terry Cooke, who assisted on Casey’s goal, is fit but still must “win his spot back,” Clavijo said. Ciaran O’Brien and John DiRaimondo will factor in over the next week, especially with Pablo Mastroeni expected to join the U.S. national team for friendly games.
Jose Burciaga Jr. is healthy again and could return to the first team, although the defensive formation will hinge on the health of right back Kosuke Kimura.
Footnotes.
McManus’ scorching blast last week was named MLS goal of the week. . . . Former Rapids striker Jean Philippe Peguero was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list Wednesday by the San Jose Earthquakes.
