COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – At first glance, it doesn’t look like much has changed for the Colorado Rapids in 2015.
After a miserable second half of 2014, the results look like more of the same for the club this year with the team drawing their first three games before losing last weekend to extend their winless streak to an MLS record-tying 18 games.
But with 11 new players acquired in the offseason, a whole lot is yet to be determined for the Rapids this season.
Out of all of Colorado’s new players, midfielder Marcelo Sarvas may be making the most drastic transition. After winning a pair of MLS Cup championships with the LA Galaxy over the past three seasons, Sarvas was brought in this winter to bring veteran leadership to a roster that had an average age of 23 in 2014.
In addition to being at a vastly different club, Sarvas has also undertaken a new attacking midfield role with the Rapids and has even donned the armband during the absence of injured captain Drew Moor.
“It’s hard because I’m not used to being that close to the goal,” Sarvas said of his positional transition. “If I was a natural forward, maybe things would be different. But whatever position I’m playing, I’m trying to do my best.”
Despite not being in his natural position, the Brazilian has been serviceable in his new attacking role, nearly breaking through for a goal off of a header in the second half of Colorado’s recent 2-0 loss to New England as well as generating three of the Rapids’ six shots in a 0-0 draw at the Houston Dynamo on March 28.
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the way head coach Pablo Mastroeni has been utilizing the veteran midfielder, who has also played an important role in initiating the Rapids' defensive pressure.
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“There’s a defensive aspect for everyone. His ability to start the defensive posture of the group has been good,” Mastroeni said. “I think he’s a player that’s tuned in and wants to get after the ball in higher positions in the field. For us, it’s really important to start to pressure a bit higher, and he’s got a good read on how to do that. I think what’s created a lot of our good opportunities; pressuring guys and being able to break out of those positions.”
So while the Rapids remain without a win or a goal in four games to start off 2015, it hasn’t caused a panic in the 33-year-old Sarvas, who helped LA bounce back from a seven-game winless streak to win MLS Cup in 2012.
“My spirits are good,” Sarvas said. “It’s hard for people to judge just by game days. If people followed every day how we are working, they’d see us at our best. Of course, with soccer it’s all about results, goals and getting three points. But if we keep working like we have, the results will come.”
