After five consecutive playoff appearances, three of which saw them reach the Western Conference Championship, the failure of the Colorado Rapids to reach the postseason in 2007 left the organization smarting. The way Fernando Clavijo's side has begun the new campaign suggests that the Rocky Mountain club are keen to make amends.
After opening the year with a 4-0 thrashing of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado were aggrieved to fall to a late Wizards winner in Kansas City. A week later however, the winning habit was rediscovered when Nick LaBrocca headed home the only goal of the game against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
For the first time since 2002, Colorado have won two of their opening three regular season games. Even more gratifying to Rapids' fans is the manner of their victories so far, with the offensive outpouring against the Galaxy in stark contrast to the gritty, backs-to-the-wall effort in New England.
At the forefront of the Colorado effort has been Terry Cooke. The Englishman is in his fourth season with the club and believes the start made by the side shows the capability it has to make this a season to remember.
"In the three games we have played this season, we have shown a massive improvement," Cooke said. "The consistency has been there from the very first whistle and the enthusiasm, fight, energy and determination has been there throughout, which is a big difference from last year. After (the New England) game, the team was in a huddle together, which shows spirit I have not seen since I've been here."
That spirit remained unbroken even after a heartbreaking loss against Kansas City seven days previously. Having overcome a two-goal deficit, Colorado looked set for a point until Scott Sealy's winner three minutes from time. In spite of the result however, Cooke believes that although the game was lost, the team's momentum was not.
"Even after the Kansas game there was a lot of confidence in the dressing room because we knew we had played well enough to get a result there," he said. "Coming in to New England, we knew we would have to dig deep and it wasn't pretty at times but that's what you have to do when you come away from home."
LaBrocca's winner against the Revolution was the latest positive impact made by a number of younger players on the Colorado roster. As well as the second-year man out of Rutgers, Stephen Keel has offered much-needed solidity in central defense, while John DiRaimondo has impressed alongside the winner of the club's 2007 Most Improved Player honor, Colin Clark.
"They're young lads who are trying to make the grade and all they want to do is play in the first team," said Cooke. "We said to them that, if they work hard every week, then nobody can grumble at them, no matter what the result is. If they enjoy it then they're going to want to be in there, week in and week out."
Now 31, Cooke stands at the opposite end of the experience scale from his younger teammates. In addition to his contribution of a goal and two assists in the opening three games, the winger is leading by example by wearing the Colorado captain's armband, in the absence of the injured Pablo Mastroeni. It is an added responsibly that, he admits, he is relishing.
"I know I have to raise my game. In some games you can go missing a little bit in my position but now I know I have to be involved vocally and be more of a leader when I have the armband," Cooke said. "With Pablo being out, it gives an extra edge to my game. As one of the older lads, I've got to stand up a bit more."
With only a tenth of the regular season having been played, Colorado's start will only be seen as a good one if it leads to further success and never has the old adage of taking things one game at a time been more prevalent.
For now, however, the Rapids are one of the league's more confident teams and quite rightly so. As they reflect on the first three games of the season while looking forward to the future, the mood for Cooke and his teammates is one of cautious optimism.
"Since I have been here, we haven't often started seasons well but this year we have," he said. "We have competition at every position which can only be good and benefit the team. Everyone is working well together and working hard. Morale is high at the moment."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
