COMMERCE CITY — Martin O’Neill’s signature hangs on a jersey over Gary Smith’s desk.
The sage advice of the decorated manager and friend rings in Smith’s ears as he prepares for his first full season coaching the Rapids. Win your first game.
“That’s a pretty simple but effective tool,” Smith said.
Smith will get his chance tonight as the Rapids kick off their 14th season, playing Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
After 11 games as interim coach last summer, the meticulous Eng-lishman expects to continue reshaping a team that showed progress down the stretch, although its 5-4-2 run meant the Rapids missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Gone are the ballyhooed Christian Gomez, a flop last year, and popular goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. The Rapids gave new contracts to their younger core players and will continue down the path Smith led them after former coach Fernando Clavijo and the team amicably split.
“We’re going to be a more refined version,” said veteran captain Pablo Mastroeni, whose decision to re-sign in the offseason was prompted by Smith’s demands for professionalism and accountability.
While their projected starters and depth at midfield and in goal warrants enthusiasm from their fans, the Rapids are thin at forward and defense and are a few injuries or international call-ups away from a desperate situation.
Smith and new technical director — and former star — Paul Bravo continue to look for players.
“I’m not prepared to just throw money at somebody because we’re in a panic,” Smith said. “I don’t think we are in a panic.”
Smith expects to make just two changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Real Salt Lake in last season’s finale.
South High School graduate Conor Casey and Omar Cummings will carry the attack ahead of a midfield consisting of Fort Collins native Colin Clark, Mastroeni, South High School product Mehdi Ballouchy and Nick LaBrocca.
Jordan Harvey, Cory Gibbs, Ugo Ihemelu and Kosuke Kimura will form the defense ahead of new keeper Matt Pickens.
“I think we’re going to be pretty hard to play against,” Pickens said.
Smith will tinker primarily on the right side, but players will be judged on work rate and production, per his evaluation this week of Ballouchy.
“I think this is his season. If not, then we have to sit down and have a serious chat,” Smith said.
Smith and new assistant Steve Guppy want more goals from the midfield and more attacking from the flanks, raising expectations for Clark, Harvey, Kimura, Jacob Peterson and Terry Cooke.
Major League Soccer didn’t do the Rapids any favors as four of their first five games are on the road.
The last time the Rapids opened on the road was 2006, when they suffered a 5-2 defeat in Houston. The only time Colorado opened with four of five games on the road was in 2000, when they went 2-3, finished 13-15-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.
That kind of mediocrity continues to define the franchise.
Another slow start could dampen optimism for a franchise that in 13 seasons has had just three winning records and never placed higher than third in the Western Conference during the regular season.
Can the Rapids break free of their mediocre past?
“I don’t want to (just) get to the playoffs,” Mastroeni said, “I want to win this thing, and I think this year with the minds that we have, the players — experience, youth, and more importantly, talent — there’s no reason we can’t do that.”
