COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Mala Suerte.
For those who don’t speak Spanish, it means “bad luck.” It’s a phrase that Colorado Rapids designated player Juan Ramirez has used often to describe the team’s current run of over 600 minutes without a goal.
“More than anything, we’ve had a bit of bad luck,” the Argentine told MLSsoccer.com in a Spanish-language interview. “Obviously we’ve seen some serious chances, some great chances. We’ve just got to find the back of the net.”
For Colorado to get over their scoring slump, they will look to the continued growth of Ramirez, who joined the club from Argentinos Juniors back in February. After being sidelined early in the season with a hamstring injury, Ramirez put together perhaps his most dynamic performance of the season in the Rapids’ recent 2-0 loss to New England. He tallied four shots (one on frame) and twice nearly earned penalties in what turned out to be disputed no-calls in the second half.
Like many foreign players entering MLS, the physical nature of the league has been a primary adjustment for the 21-year-old.
“There wasn’t much that changed; I joined this club and this league because the coaching staff wants me to do what I’ve always done. The only thing that I have noticed and that I need to change a bit is to be more physical,” Ramirez said.
Along with midfielder Lucas Pittinari, Ramirez was one of two Argentines the Rapids brought in during the offseason to bolster their roster at the recommendation of Claudio Lopez, who was named as the team’s Director of Soccer back in December.
“When I found out what my role was going to be I began to look at players in Argentina. I really liked those two players because it’s what [Rapids head coach] Pablo [Mastroeni] was looking for in his system. I went to the stadiums to watch them play and I also watched videos of both,” Lopez said. “There was a large group of players that we looked at, but they were the two that stood out the most.”
“I think my skills and abilities are very similar to those of other players in this team like Vicente Sánchez,” explained Ramirez. “I enjoy going at players and towards goal.”
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Another key to turning bad luck into goals will be Ramirez’s developing offensive relationship with teammates Gabriel Torres and Dillon Powers. Following last Saturday’s win, New England head coach Jay Heaps offered nothing but praise for the trio, saying, “They pose a lot of problems.”
“I don’t see a difference in the technicality [compared to Argentina] and I think they’re great players,” commented Ramirez. “Gaby is from Panama and I can relate to that. Dillon’s technicality didn’t surprise me. He’s like a lot of American players who’ve come up through this league. I feel very good with them out on the field.”
In spite of the mala suerte, the young Designated Player remains confident heading into Friday evening’s Western Conference matchup against FC Dallas (7 pm ET, UniMás, UDN, UnivisionDeportes.com).
“We cannot be afraid of anyone. We will work throughout the week in order to arrive in Dallas the best possible way on Friday.”
