The Rapids in recent weeks jumped back into playoff contention in Major League Soccer, but bad news greeted them this week.
Colin Clark, an anchor on Colorado’s midfield line, will miss the rest of this season after he injured his left knee during training Tuesday, team spokesman Jason Gilham said.
Clark tore the anterior cruciate ligament in a noncontact drill. He needs surgery, which will be scheduled for early next week.
The former standout at Fort Collins High School broke out in MLS last season before starting 16 games this season. This year, he has three goals and a career-high five assists.
Clark has also spent time with the U.S. national team this year, earning his first cap with 76 minutes of action in a Gold Cup game against Honduras on July 11.
The Rapids (8-6-6, 30 points) are in third place in the Western Conference, trailing leader Houston (11-6-5) by eight points. Colorado’s next game is Aug. 23 at Chicago.
U.S. returns to Azteca
MEXICO CITY — Landon Donovan knows just how much visitors struggle in the altitude and pollution of Azteca Stadium. Like a lot of U.S. players, he’s familiar with the shortness of breath and the sting of losing there.
“If you walk around in Mexico City for a few minutes, you’ll be tired,” the American forward said. “There’s very real issues there.”
Winless in Mexico since it first started playing there in 1937, the U.S. soccer team returns to 105,000-seat Azteca tonight in a qualifier for next year’s World Cup. The U.S. is 0-22-1 in Mexico, including 0-18-1 in Mexico City.
Denver Post staff and wire services
