Rapids coach Gary Smith changed his mind and left midfielder Brian Mullan home this morning when the team left for Seattle, where Mullan could have expected to receive a rude reception.
Mullan broke the right leg of Seattle midfielder Steve Zakuani when the Sounders played here April 22, receiving a 10-game suspension. On Thursday Smith said he had “every intention” of bringing Mullan for Saturday’s game, but that changed this morning.
“It’s a purely personal feeling from my standpoint,” Smith said. “Brian says he has no serious physical problems, but his back has been an issue for a little while. I took that into consideration with three games in a week, and given what we’re probably going to encounter in Seattle, I think all in all it’s probably the right choice to keep him (out) until Wednesday and keep him nice and fresh.”
Mullan has been experiencing back spasms but told Smith he was fit to play this weekend. With the team’s injury list short, and considerable depth at midfield, Smith could afford to leave Mullan here.
“Brian’s desperate to be there and to play,” Smith said. “He really wants to be part of it, which I totally understand, but there are some considerations with the amount of games, with one or two little (physical) niggles that he’s had. We are fully healthy, and I just felt it was the right decision — even at late notice — to keep him here.”
The Rapids have two home games next week, versus New York on Wednesday and New England next Saturday.
The Seattle game Saturday is a rare afternoon game, kicking off at 2 p.m. MDT.
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
