Over 4,500 miles in 72 hours. That’s the challenge the Colorado Rapids have been faced with as they fly coast to coast in back-to-back road games this week.
In Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls, Colorado largely withstood the first leg of the test, scoring an opening goal against a team that had previously conceded just once at Red Bull Arena in three home games this season, and had to deal with some changes to the defense on the night.
A goal in the 25th minute by Gabriel Torres off a Dillon Powers free kick put the visitors ahead, before a penalty from Bradley Wright-Phillips evened the score five minutes later.
“I think it was a fantastic road point,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said of the result. “I think the guys put forth a tremendous effort and we had enough chances to win it. The guys executed what we
wanted to achieve here.”
The rigors of travel opened the door for a few unlikely candidates to make their appearances in the lineup for Colorado. Defender Ben Newnam made his MLS debut for the Rapids, playing at right back in place of James Riley.
“I thought he was solid out there,” Mastroeni said of Newnam’s debut. “He did a really good job keeping the game in front. It’s a big ask on the road in this league. It’s good to add another player that can
contribute in what will be a long road this season.”
“It was another stepping stone in my career; a hard fought game and a solid road point out there,” Newnam said of his debut. “Defensively I just tried to make contact with the outside guy and make myself known there.”
The contact may have been a bit much on one play for the debutant, as he wrestled down Sacha Kljestan in the box in the 30th minute leading to a penalty call, and Colorado conceded their first road goal of 2015.
“It was unfortunate to give up the one PK that we did have, but it’s a tough place to play,” Newnam explained.
Newnam’s debut wasn’t the only lineup change for Colorado. Bobby Burling got the last minute nod in the center of defense, wearing the armband in place of Drew Moor, who tweaked his knee prior to the game. The veteran recently returned from a long-term knee injury.
“[Moor] came in and said he wasn’t feeling right,” Mastroeni explained. “He’s still coming back from a pretty tough injury so I felt it was best not to expose anyone who didn’t feel 100 percent comfortable on the field.”
With another long flight ahead, the Rapids’ won’t have any time to dwell on the result in New York, as the focus shifts to Saturday night’s road game against the LA Galaxy.
“It’s tough and there’s no getting excited about this.” Mastroeni said of the Rapids’ literal long road ahead. “It’s not easy traveling six hours but I never make excuses. We’re going out to LA to put together another fearless performance en route to more points.”
