Rapids coach Gary Smith changed his mind and left midfielder Brian Mullan home Friday when the team flew to Seattle, where Mullan could have expected 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 taking Mullan, but that apparently changed overnight.
“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. 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.”
Notebook
Rapids: Conor Casey has scored six goals in his past seven games. A double-digit scorer in each of the past three seasons, Casey scores more frequently as the season progresses. He had nine goals after June 1 in each of the past two seasons, and all 11 of his goals in 2008 came after that date. . . . The Rapids have experienced an abnormal rash of injuries this season, but now virtually everyone is able to play. Only forward Macoumba Kandji (ACL tear in MLS Cup Final last November) is out, and he is expected back as early as next week. . . . Colorado has home games next week against New York (Wednesday) and New England (Saturday).
Sounders: Seattle extended its undefeated streak to eight games with the win in Portland, the longest in MLS play in club history. The Sounders have climbed to second in the overall league table, winning five and drawing three over the past seven weeks. . . . They are drawing more than 37,000 fans per game at CenturyLink Field, which they share with the NFL Seahawks, and lead the league in attendance. The LA Galaxy is second (22,641), and the league average is 17,553. . . . The Sounders host Manchester United in a friendly Wednesday.
Spotlight on Fredy Montero: A 5-foot-9 forward from Colombia, Montero is Seattle’s leading scorer with five goals and four assists, including two goals Sunday in a 3-2 win over rival Portland.
Since he signed in January 2009, the Sounders are 16-2-5 when he scores, and they are 5-0-3 this season when he either scores or provides an assist.
“Montero’s always a focal point of creativity for them,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “He can do things that are unexpected, (and) his finishing is normally quite clinical when he gets an opportunity.”
