COMMERCE CITY — Rapids midfielder Dillon Serna has had a largely frustrating season, but there have been some bright moments, and another comes Tuesday night when he plays for the MLS “Homegrown” team against the U-23 team of Mexico’s Club America at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The Brighton product started Colorado’s season opener in March but didn’t start again until June 19, when salvaged a tie with FC Dallas. Earlier in the season he scored a 30-yard goal against FCD that was named the MLS goal of the week.
He was part of the U.S. under-23 national team — the side that will play in the Olympics next year — in the important Toulon tournament May 27-June 7 in France, playing in all five games and starting three.
“When I wasn’t playing, and (then) going off with the national team, that definitely gave me confidence,” Serna said.
But he didn’t play the last three games as the Rapids reeled off consecutive wins after a 2-6-9 start.
“Anytime you’re not playing and the team is doing well, it’s tough to get back in the lineup,” Serna said. “They build that chemistry. Right now they’ve won three games in a row and I haven’t played in any of those games. … I’m not going to complain. I’m happy to be on a team that’s doing well, that’s winning games. I’m just going to keep doing what I can every day in training to get back out there.”
Another Rapids player, defender Shane O’Neill of Boulder, also will be on the MLS Homegrown team in Tuesday’s game that serves as the undercard for Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game. Both played in the Homegrown Game last year against Portland’s U-23 team.
MLS players who come up through a team’s development system can be signed by the club without being exposed to the MLS draft, hence the “Homegrown” distinction.
“It’s definitely special to be part of the young players that can represent the Homegrown system, that came up through the academy,” Serna said. “It’s always fun to get together with those guys and play a game.”
Serna will have a large cheering section for Tuesday’s game.
“Definitely going to be all my friends and family,” Serna said. “It’s going to be special, being able to represent the Rapids in the Homegrown Game in my home stadium in front of the home fans, my family.”
John Meyer: jmeyer@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johnmeyer
