The Colorado Rapids continue to make history, although it’s not quite the kind that needs to be remembered.
Their 0-0 draw on Saturday night against the Houston Dynamo extended Colorado’s club record winless streak to 17 games. It also put the Rapids into the record books as the first MLS side in league history to begin a regular season campaign with three consecutive scoreless draws. The club has also been scoreless in their last 510 minutes of regular season action.
“We just need that pass to go our way and for the ball to find its way into the back of the net,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said of his team’s scoring drought. “Once you score that first one the floodgates will open.”
Mastroeni tried to jumpstart the attack by inserting Argentinian Designated Player Juan Ramirez into the starting lineup alongside Marcelo Sarvas, who played in an unfamiliar attacking midfield role. By night’s end, the Brazilian proved to be Colorado’s best offensive weapon against Houston, with three shots (two on target).
“I thought Marcelo played well,” Mastroeni said of the performance. “It’s a bit new to him to be making those runs, but when he releases from the midfield he creates fits for the opposing team.”
It was one of a number of lineup changes for Colorado, which also featured Gabriel Torres at striker and the return of Dillon Powers to the wing.
“We wanted to create a numbers advantage in the midfield,” Mastroeni explained. “When we found a good combination of passes we opened things up for Juan [Ramirez] and Gabby [Torres]. Those guys all possess the mentality to battle.”
Despite an attack that left more to be desired, team defense once again proved to be the silver lining for the Rapids, who weathered a Houston attack that proved superior by an 11-6 shot margin.
“That’s the best feature of our game at the moment,” Mastroeni added. “That’s what we’ve been working on: Making sure that come June, July, everyone is dialed in and understands what the responsibilities are along that back line.”
Colorado’s back four didn’t miss a beat with Jared Watts’ insertion into the lineup for an injured Axel Sjoberg (foot bruise). The second-year player looked like a seasoned pro, racking up nine clearances and two defensive blocks.
“That’s the mentality. Be the hardest team to play against. Be the hardest team to break down,” Watts said of his first start since October. “I just tried to be focused. Doing the simple things and keeping a clean sheet.”
Added Mastroeni, “Watts did a great job of shoring up that back line and preserving a point.”
Marco Cummings covers the Colorado Rapids for MLSsoccer.com.
