COMMERCE CITY — Omar Cummings picked up where he left off last season, scoring one goal and creating another Saturday when the Rapids won their season opener over Portland.
But the MLS champions will have to play without their dangerous forward when they take on Chivas USA on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
World soccer is in one of its periodic “international fixture” periods, when top internationals are called to play for their countries in “friendlies.” The U.S. national team will play Argentina on Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J., and Paraguay in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday.
Cummings will be with the Jamaican national team, the so-called “Reggae Boyz,” who play Venezuela tonight and El Salvador on Sunday. He scored seven goals in the Rapids’ final five regular-season games in 2010 and was the league’s player of the month in September.
Sanna Nyassi, a newcomer at midfield, was called away to join Gambia’s national team.
Chivas loses two players who started in their 3-2 loss last week to Sporting Kansas City. One of them is forward Alejandro Moreno, a Venezuelan who may see action against Cummings tonight at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. Cummings is expected back Tuesday.
Who replaces Cummings?
Quincy Amarikwa would seem to be the most likely replacement for Cummings, although recent addition Caleb Folan is another possibility.
Amarikwa delighted Rapids fans Saturday when he came on for Conor Casey in the 61st minute, playing with typical breakneck abandon.
“I think Quincy was terrific when he came on,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “Really lifted the crowd, brought us some energy and some real hustle and bustle up front. There’s no doubt about it, the lad’s improving no end — quality in his game, choices in his game.”
Folan, who played most recently for Hull City (England) and has seven caps for Ireland, was signed March 16.
Did you notice?
Rapids midfielder Jamie Smith kissed his wedding ring after scoring a world-class goal Saturday night. It was a message to his wife, Laura, who was visiting his native Scotland.
“I knew my wife was watching the game (on TV),” Smith said. “I enjoyed the goal, but the main thing is that we got the three points and we won the first game. It was just a bonus to get the goal.”
Smith’s goal, a blast from 25 yards, was one of five nominated for MLS goal of the week. The winner will be announced today.
