The Denver Post’s Daniel Boniface answers questions in the Rapids Mailbag.
for the Rapids Mailbag.
Wolverhampton Wanderers just missed the playoff on goal differential. Does this mean Kevin Doyle may arrive before July 1?
— Chris Jones, via Twitter
Chris — This is exactly why fans should have been rooting against Wolves ever since . With Wolverhampton’s hopes of being promoted to the Premier League now officially dashed, I would fully expect the Rapids to make an immediate push to acquire their newest designated player as soon as possible.
As it stands now, Doyle — a Republic of Ireland international — is under contract through the end of Wolves season and isn’t scheduled to join the Rapids until July 1. Colorado will likely need to compensate Wolves to get this over the line. The MLS primary transfer window slams shut on May 12, so they have to move quickly.
Colorado has been creating loads of chances this season, but has only eight goals in nine matches to show for it. Bringing Doyle in early would be a boost for the offense and would give the team two extra months to integrate its new striker within the group, so expect the Rapids to do what they can to make it happen.
The difference between this year and last is better quality players. Tactically, coach Pablo Mastroeni has shown he has no clue on substitutions or changing tactics during a match. How much longer until a needed coaching change is made?
— Chris, Denver
Chris — Colorado will not make a coaching change any time soon. Mastroeni is a Rapids legend with World Cup experience and he’s being given the leash to learn on the job. Based on conversations I’ve had, the front office remains absolutely committed to him, so I don’t foresee a midseason change (especially since he’s scheduled to manage the MLS All-Stars on July 29). If things go south this year like they did last year, perhaps they will re-evaluate in the offseason. But it’s important to note that Mastroeni was hired right before the season began last year and didn’t have the chance to have any real input on the roster.
Now that Mastroeni has had a hand in bringing in some of his guys, he is really pleased with the vibe in the locker room this season. The team has played its heart out for him this year. They are unbeaten on the road through the first two months of the season.
Yes, they have dropped points at home, but they lost to two of MLS’ top teams, Seattle and New England, and they played well in those games. With reinforcements coming at the striker position, Mastroeni will be given a chance to prove he can be a successful MLS manager — at least through the 2015 campaign.
Why do you think Dominique Badji continues to start instead of moving Gabriel Torres up top and putting Vicente Sanchez or Dillon Serna out wide?
— Cody Costra, via Twitter
Cody — Good question. Coach Pablo Mastroeni said he prefered Torres coming in from behind the play off the wing or in the No. 10 role, but to your point, Torres has been effective as the lone striker up top. His calm finish on was proof of that.
— they were opportunities he’s used to scoring and he stayed after training on Tuesday to work on his fast-break counterattack finishing. It’s important to remember and that poise will come with experience.
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Sanchez’s fitness does not appear to be at a point at which he can finish a full 90-minute match. As we’ve seen in the past, Mastroeni is loathe to start anyone he knows will require a sub before the game is done.
Serna’s situation is a little different. (more on that in the next question) and his playing time has been impacted by that. has played well on the left wing, so it’s hard to see him displacing him for significant time right now.
With Doyle and Argentine striker , Torres role will be on the right wing or spelling Dillon Powers in the No. 10 role. I think Mastroeni prefers to continue giving Torres the bulk of his time in the position where he will feature longterm for this club.
Why aren’t Shane O’Neill and Dillon Serna seeing more playing time? They both seem to be healthy and fit.
— Mark Weatherley, Boulder
Mark — Both of the Rapids homegrowns, Shane O’Neill and Dillon Serna, have missed time with Colorado this season due to callups with the U.S. senior national team (during preseason) — the defacto 2016 Olympic team.
Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said their lack of availability has impacted their playing time with the club. Missing time during the preseason when the club was laying the groundwork and then missing matches, training sessions and film sessions during the year has all played a role in Mastroeni’s thinking when devising his starting 11.
No player wants to sit on the bench, so I can’t imagine either player is thrilled. O’Neill said Tuesday that he does not blame Mastroeni for his decisions and noted the coaching staff knows what he has to offer at this point in his career. Center back is perhaps the deepest position on the Rapids this year, so Mastroeni has options.
In Serna’s case, Ramirez has put his foot down at left midfield with his inspired play there, and Mastroeni prefers Torres — the club’s leading goal scorer this season — coming in from the right wing or in the No. 10 role. Dillon Powers has played so well as the No. 10 it’s hard to see him coming out of the lineup.
So, for now it appears Serna’s best chance is to force his way into the lineup through strong play off the bench. (No one will forget the any time soon.)
Serna appeared at fullback for the U-23s vs. Mexico and , so we may see more of him there if the U.S. believes that’s his best role for the 2016 Olympics.
I’m wondering about the Rapids’ mentality late in the game when tied or at home down a goal. Why the conservative play? With six ties early in the season, it’s as if the Rapids would rather play it safe than try to win. I get it on the road, but at home? Why not play with three defenders and put in an extra striker?
— Neil, Arvada
Neil — The Rapids have, in general, made conservative subsitutions in these situations. But in fairness to coach Pablo Mastroeni, you also have to look at his options off the bench.
, Mastroeni did not have a striker available off the bench, and instead turned to Carlos Alvarez, Juan Ramirez and Marcelo Sarvas, subbing for Dominique Badji, Vicente Sanchez and Dillon Powers, respectively. Sanchez and Powers were still not at full fitness, so you could question pulling off Badji so early. The Rapids went up a man in the 82nd minute of this match, but had already made all of their subs.
Against New England, Colorado looked extremely threatening in the second half, and probably deserved better than a 2-0 loss. The Rapids were slightly more aggressive with their subs in this game, bringing on Badji for defensive midfielder Sam Cronin in the 58th minute, but made like-for-like subs with their other two. It would have been worth pulling off a defender and bringing on an attacker.
The subs in the Seattle (3-1 loss) game were curious. But again, look at the options. , so Mastroeni’s only attacker off the bench was Dillon Serna, who he subbed in at right back. Nick LaBrocca, more of a defensive midfielder, was brought on for Vicente Sanchez in this game — not exactly an aggressive move. The third sub was unused, but there weren’t any other attackers left.
The 1-1 draw to FC Dallas is where there’s room to backseat manage. The Rapids went up a man in the 60th minute when striker Blas Perez was given a red card. With all three subs still in his pocket, Mastroeni only subbed on Sanchez for Badji in the 65th minute. Dallas had the lead and it seemed clear they would bunker and try to escape with at least a point. So why not bring on Charles Eloundou or Carlos Alvarez for a defender and play three in the back in this situation? There was definitely room for improvement in this match.
for the Rapids Mailbag.
Daniel Boniface: dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
