COMMERCE CITY — Mired in a 10-game winless streak — a playoff berth highly unlikely — Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said Thursday he wants his team to finish out the season with a good taste in its mouth.
Much of that could depend on Zat Knight’s first taste of Major League Soccer. The 6-foot-6 English Premier League veteran’s Tuesday after weeks of trying to sort out immigration paperwork.
While it may be too late for a playoff push, Rapids president Tim Hinchey said the former Bolton Wanderers FC captain has the final four games to convince the team to pick up his option for next season.
The central defender could make his debut Sunday against the Seattle Sounders — and former Fulham FC teammate (and U.S. national team captain) Clint Dempsey.
“I’m just hungry to play, regardless if it’s Clint Dempsey or Joe Bloggs, I just want to play,” Knight said Thursday. “It could be the best team, could be the worst team. I’ve been itching to play in MLS for a while and getting the opportunity. I want to take it.”
As the former England international considered a move to MLS, Dempsey was one of the players he turned to with questions about the North American league.
“He’s really enjoying it. He’d like to retire over here,” Knight said of Dempsey. “His family’s settled, he’s at a great team. He said the only difficult thing here is just the traveling. Other than that, he loves it.”
Knight said it was his neighbor in Birmingham, England (another U.S. international), goalkeeper Brad Guzan, whose agent helped facilitate the move. Knight said one other MLS team was interested, but he felt comfortable after visiting the Rapids and meeting Mastroeni.
Knight, 34, hasn’t played a competitive match since May, and after just returning from England, he is still getting acclimated.
“It’s just making sure that physically, with the altitude and all the other things that go into it, that he’s in the right place to jump in and contribute,” Mastroeni said about Knight possibly playing this weekend. “I know he’s been dying to get on the field and be a part of this group.”
Powers’ contract extended. The Rapids to a contract extension Thursday.
“We’re excited to have a player of his caliber, a young player that embodies everything that we’re trying to do here at the club,” Mastroeni said.
Powers said his contract extension is for three guaranteed seasons.
“I’m excited,” he said. “Since Day One that I’ve been here, I can feel internally this is an organization that wants to really grow and be one of the top ones in the league. I don’t think we’re there yet, and I’m excited to be at the heart of building that.”
Mastroeni has used Powers as an attacking midfielder, defensive holding midfielder and on the wings this season.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
