Rapids attacker is doubtful for the first leg of the Western Conference finals against Seattle, coach told reporters Tuesday at a media roundtable.
Gashi, who led the Rapids with nine goals in league play this season, suffered a bad sprain of his right ankle at the end of the first half of the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals against the on Nov. 6.
“Gashi is making improvements every day. He’s a lot further than anything I anticipated to this point,” Mastroeni said. “His participation in the first leg will be doubtful, but with the expectation that we’ll be able to get him in a good way for the home leg.”
Mastroeni said the Rapids have a number of options to replace Gashi in Seattle when the Western Conference finals open next Tuesday.
“‘s played really well. ‘s been a guy who’s been very electric in that position as well,” Mastroeni said. “We definitely have options in that position.”
Gashi was replaced by Hairston against L.A., and the 22-year-old went on to play 75 minutes in the decisive match. Hairston led the Rapids with six assists this season, to go with three goals.
“The most important part is to make sure Gashi feels 100 percent to get back on the field,” Mastroeni said. “Especially on a surface like turf, it may be difficult. But if he’s ready to go, then we’ll roll him out there.”
Rapids to let Jones ride. Mastroeni indicated that midfielder , who is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him nearly four months during the regular season, will not be held out on the artificial playing surface at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field. Jones is currently with the U.S. national team in Costa Rica but will return before the conference finals.
“This is it. This is the end,” Mastroeni said. “We’re fighting. We’re living for today. We’re fighting for today. All hands on deck. All horses out of the stables.”
