COMMERCE CITY — Rapids fullback Michael Harrington played every minute in 13 of the Rapids’ first 14 games this season, but not a minute since June 7 after taking 12 days away for the birth of his child.
“As a father I know how important that is, but as a coach it’s a whole different realm,” said Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni.
In Harrington’s absence, Mastroeni has turned to center back Drew Moor, who played outside back early his career and had a level of comfort there.
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“Sometimes when you do make that change it refreshes things a little bit,” Moor said. “It helps you to focus a little bit more, obviously on slightly different objectives or tasks. But I’ve felt good there and it’s kept me young the last couple games.”
The results have been good: The Rapids have a two-game winning streak with their captain at left back, and Mastroeni is pleased with the way Moor has shut down opposing attackers.
“He provides very good feet, very good knowledge in that position,” Mastroeni said. “He plays more on the front foot in those wide positions, playing really tight to opposing wingers or wide midfielders.”
In , Moor has also been able to get up the field and join in the attack, sending in crosses and scoring the equalizer on a headed corner .
Harrington has rejoined the Rapids, but he will have to compete to regain his starting position.
“Now it’s about getting back in form,” Mastroeni said of Harrington. “Getting back in the habit, getting back in the swing of things, and that takes time as well.”
The Rapids (4-6-9) play the Sounders (10-8-2) in Seattle on Saturday, and Moor could be featured at outside back again based on recent form.
“Coming off the ,” Moor said, “it was ‘Why change things when it worked out so well?’ So we’ll probably take it week by week.”
Kevin Doyle is Rapids’ million-dollar man.
The this week and for the first time ever, the Rapids have a player making more than $1 million.
Designated player Kevin Doyle will receive $1.17 million this season in guaranteed compensation, a club record and 19th-most in the league.
The second-highest earner among the Rapids is Marcelo Sarvas ($425,000 guaranteed). He was acquired during the offseason in a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Vicente Sanchez ($286,666), Dillon Powers ($275,000) and Gabriel Torres ($274,500) complete the Rapids’ top five.
Powers, who has been named the Rapids’ most valuable player the past two seasons, is getting a significant pay increase over his 2014 salary, which was $127,650.
COLORADO AT SEATTLE
8 p.m. Saturday, ALT; 1600 AM, 1650 AM
Spotlight on Charles Eloundou: The 20-year-old had the best game of his Rapids career last weekend, coming off the bench to spark Colorado to a 3-1 comeback win over archrival Real Salt Lake. In 17 minutes of work, the diminutive Cameroonian striker set up all three goals and notched two assists. “It was a dream moment for me,” Eloundou said after the game. A hamstring injury to starting striker Luis Solignac could clear the way Saturday to more significant minutes for the young forward.
RAPIDS NOTEBOOK
Colorado: The Rapids (4-6-9, 10th place) finally have wind in their sails after winning back-to-back games for the first time in more than a year. They have never won in Seattle, but take on a slumping team without stars Clint Dempsey and Brad Evans (international duty) and Obafemi Martins (injury). “When people say they’re a short-handed team, there’s guys stepping onto that field who are hungrier than those other guys,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said this week.
Seattle: The Sounders (10-8-2, first place) have lost four of their last five MLS games. But they have won 12-of-14 games against Colorado in league play (including the playoffs), with one draw. The Sounders have defeated Colorado twice this year and go for the season sweep Saturday.
Footnotes: Colorado is without Gabriel Torres (international duty) and Luis Solignac (hamstring injury). Axel Sjoberg (knee) and Dillon Serna (back) are questionable. … Saturday’s game will be played on a temporary natural-grass field installed for a Manchester United match.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
