In the car, Rapids defender Drew Moor is a Taylor Swift kind of guy.
In the locker room, though, the rest of his team doesn’t understand the Texan’s country music fascination.
“Anytime I can get to the iPod, I try to change it to country,” Moor said, laughing. “As soon as I step away, it changes back.”
A 6-foot, 165-pound center back, Moor might be deserving of getting whatever music he wants played in the team’s locker room. He is tracking down a longtime MLS record.
Moor has played all 90 minutes of 61 consecutive games and is closing in on the 67-game ironman league record for non-goalkeepers set by Peter Vermes more than a decade ago.
For Rapids coach Gary Smith, having Moor means one less thing to worry about.
Moor, 27, spends most of his time at center back, but he has played both outside defensive positions. He’s basically four defenders in one, said Smith.
“He certainly gives me a nice chunk of peace of mind,” Smith said, “knowing that if I’ve got any problems back there, Drew’s clearing it up.
“Or, he can be adaptable enough to play anywhere in the back four. He’s the epitome of the professional that every team wants. Without guys like Drew Moor, you don’t win championships, simple as that.”
Moor admits he has been lucky to stay relatively injury-free, but he also works hard to keep in peak physical condition.
He said there’s a fine line between potentially pushing your body past its limit as opposed to staying sharp and getting plenty of rest, which is his approach.
He has played through what he describes as minor hamstring and Achilles pains in the last two seasons.
While he is proud of his streak, which he hopes to extend Saturday in Seattle, he’s not about to keep playing just to keep the streak alive.
“You know that Drew’s always going to be there,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “He’s like a good old boy. He never complains. He’s just out there having fun.”
The Dallas native came to Colorado after winning two national championships at Indiana University and spending several years with his hometown team, FC Dallas.
Moor attributes his work ethic to his family. He has two younger siblings, sister Lee and brother Will, and older sister Hailey, who makes a trip to see him play at least once a month.
Moor said his father, Gary, never pressured him to take up soccer, or keep playing. It’s one reason he kept the joy of playing, and playing hard, for 90 minutes, game after game, running upwards of 5 miles per game.
“He always told me if there’s any point where I want to quit soccer, he’d be fine with it,” Moor said. “His biggest thing was that if I’m going to be in, I have to be all in.”
Sarah Kuta: 303-954-1033 or skuta@denverpost.com
At a glance
Who: Drew Moor
What: Rapids defender
Current streak: 61 consecutive full games
Minutes streak: 5,490
League record: 67 consecutive full games, set by Peter Vermes from 1998 to 2000
Goals this season: Two
Career goals: 11
Source: Rapids
