COMMERCE CITY — The fire inside Kyle Beckerman still burns, even if the fuel has changed of late.
The former longtime Rapids midfielder has wanted a piece of his former team since he was surprisingly traded to rival Real Salt Lake midway through last season.
But with the departure of coach Fernando Clavijo, Beckerman’s biggest target is gone. In its place is that same us-against-the-world mentality that made him a favorite in Colorado for more than five seasons, although now he’s all about getting Salt Lake to the playoffs for the first time.
“With Clavijo gone, that has a big part to do with it not meaning as much,” Beckerman said of tonight’s critical swing game against the Rapids.
Colorado (7-11-3) is outside the playoff picture by just two points and trails Real Salt Lake (7-8-6) by three points.
The Rapids are coming off a 3-0 loss at D.C. United, their sixth loss in their past nine games. Salt Lake limps in after losing 3-0 at Columbus to drop to an MLS-worst 1-8-1 on the road this season.
But on the turf at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Real Salt Lake remains the only team this season unbeaten at home. Beckerman said Salt Lake’s brief stint atop the Western Conference standings helped solidify the belief the young team is moving in the right direction.
Beckerman, 26, also said playing for Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts is a refreshing change from Colorado, where he estimated he saw Stan Kroenke once since he purchased the club in 2003.
“We do have an owner that really cares about us and we see him on a regular basis. It gives you an extra incentive to do well for him and win,” Beckerman said. “That’s not bad on Stan, it’s just the way it is in our league right now, I think, with a lot of teams.”
Needing adventure. Rapids interim coach Gary Smith will be looking for more of the tight defending he saw in the first 44 minutes of last week’s loss to D.C. United, as well as a bit more of an “adventurous” attack.
“We have to combine that (defending) with a positive edge so we’re always being a threat,” Smith said. “We need points, so we do actually need to score at some point.”
Colorado has been shut out in three of its past four games. The Rapids will also travel without injured regulars Pablo Mastroeni, Terry Cooke, Mehdi Ballouchy, Ugo Ihemelu and Greg Dalby.
Smith acknowledged getting points at Salt Lake will be tough, but reaffirmed his belief in the quality and depth of the Rapids.
“What we will have will be plenty of pace, plenty of athleticism, plenty of enthusiasm, and a group of players that are going to throw the kitchen sink into getting a result,” Smith said.
