COMMERCE CITY — Carlos Pavon is a beloved figure in Honduran soccer, the national team’s all-time leading scorer who made his professional debut for Real España in 1992. That’s right, 19 years ago.
He has played on first division teams in Mexico and Europe, but his stint in Italy’s Serie A was in 2001-03. He turns 38 in two weeks, so when he scored a pair of first-half goals for Real España in Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League match, Rapids fans were wondering why the old guy was allowed to run so free.
“For the love of God,” a fan named Danielle wrote on the team’s live game chat, “Pavon is like 100 years old.”
He was too much to handle for a Rapids team resting a half-dozen regulars, though, leading Real to a 2-1 victory before 4,512 spectators at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
“When young players play, and they’re inexperienced, you’re going to get mistakes,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “These are big opportunities for guys that are in and around the squad, and for some of them, it’s proven to maybe be a little bit of a bridge too far.”
With four games left in the MLS regular season, Smith put more priority on Saturday’s game here against San Jose.
“The side needs to be sharp, it needs to be bright, it needs to be as purposeful as possible,” Smith said. “We need to win. If you want, I’ve given more credibility and credence to the Saturday game than the midweek game. That is a reality.”
The result dealt a blow to Colorado’s chances of advancing to Champions League quarterfinal play in 2012. The Rapids have two more group stage matches, Sept. 28 at Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) and Oct. 19 at Santos Laguna (Mexico). They have a 1-2-1 record in the tournament.
With Smith giving defensive stalwarts Drew Moor and Marvell Wynne the night off, Pavon took advantage of flat-footed defending in the center of the Rapids backline for an easy goal in the 13th minute.
The Rapids drew even five minutes later when forward Mac Kandji crossed a ball into a crowd in front of the Real goal and Andre Akpan put it away from close range.
Pavon scored again in the 33rd minute, barreling unmolested down the center of the field on a counterattack.
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
