COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – When the Colorado Rapids take on archrivals Real Salt Lake this weekend, they’ll be set to regain an important piece that has been missing from the team’s past seven matches.
Fully recovered from an arthroscopic knee surgery which took place back in April, Rapids midfielder Marcelo Sarvas has returned to full team activities this week, and expects to be available for selection on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes).
“I’m training for [Salt Lake],” Sarvas told MLSsoccer.com. “I’m doing everything that everyone is doing with the team. For sure I’m going to be able to play.”
For the Rapids, who lamented a weak mentality and lack of collective belief following last week’s 2-1 home loss to Portland, the return of Sarvas, along with his leadership attributes, has been a welcome sight at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
“From that perspective he’s been missed,” said Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni. “With Marcelo the leadership qualities are very palpable. He brings a commitment to the game, to the cause, to the team.”
“He’s a player that finds what the game is calling for. He’s an intuitive player and has a good feel for the game. With that ability the guys around him become tuned in as well.”
“It’s not about me, it’s about everyone,” Sarvas said of the Rapids recent struggles. “You have to bring to the field what you see in the locker room. You have to bring the energy. You are going to have ways when technically it’s not working, tactically it’s not working but you can’t miss the passion. I think we are missing that, more than anything.”
Colorado have gone 1-2-4 in Sarvas’ absence (which includes a two-game suspension served following a stomp on Clint Dempsey against Seattle on April 18) and watching from the sideline has been a tough pill to swallow for the Brazilian.
“Nobody likes to be out, especially in the situation we are in. You always want to be able to help in some way,” Sarvas said. “It’s the timing. This has been the worst injury in a bad moment. It was the beginning of the year, a new club and a lot of expectations. Suddenly you get injured and you have to start from zero. It’s hard to talk about the team right now. We’ve been having tough moments.”
Prior to surgery on his right knee, Sarvas had been playing through swelling and pain first experienced following Colorado’s season opener against Philadelphia. And while the experience has certainly been a trying one, it also brought a bit of relief for the two-time MLS Cup winner outside of the game.
The recovery period allowed him to spend time with his wife, son and newborn daughter back in LA as well as help out in their move back to Colorado.
“Of course it was a blessing, if you look at it in this way,” explained Sarvas. “I think this was important for my recovery. Family is an important part of my life so I think everything came together.”
With the injury healed and his family now settled in Colorado, the 33-year-old can now shift his concentration to the pitch.
“I’m happy now. We just need to fix the soccer part.”
