and nine games in all competitions -- dating back to Aug. 14. The Rapids -- losers of three of their last four -- needed a victory to maintain pace in the tightly bunched Western Conference.
The game's only goal came after just three minutes. Nicolas Hernandez got free down the left flank and sent in a low cross aimed for Thiago Martins. As Fire defender Jim Curtin retreated in front of Martins and goalkeeper Matt Pickens came off his line, the ball went off Curtin and over the 'keeper into the goal.
The loss ensured the Fire will not secure a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs by the weekend, while the Rapids kept pace with Chivas USA in extending the gap to five points ahead of fifth place in the West.
Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo made five changes to the team that lost 4-1 to the Kansas City Wizards the weekend before. Mike Petke returned from suspension, and he, Hunter Freeman and Matt Crawford came into the back four for Dan Gargan, Eric Denton and Colin Clark, as Pablo Mastroeni moved into the midfield. Alain Nkong returned to the lineup in place of Jacob Peterson, while Thiago Martins also came back into the first XI, for Clint Mathis.
Here's Clavijo's team (4-4-2): Joe Cannon - Hunter Freeman, Mike Petke, Aitor Karanka, Matt Crawford (Chris Wingert 86) - Alain Nkong (Jacob Peterson 79), Kyle Beckerman, Pablo Mastroeni, Nicolas Hernandez - Jovan Kirovski (Terry Cooke 65), Thiago Martins. [Substitutes Not Used: Bouna Coundoul, Eric Denton, Clint Mathis, Daniel Wasson]
"The second half we dropped the pace a little bit but we created so many chances in the first half," Clavijo said. "We just take it one game at a time. We have five more to go. If we do our job then we should be OK."
TEAM NEWS
After Wednesday's victory, the Rapids have just one more home game left among their five remaining league games. The trip to Los Angeles begins a three-game road swing, the first two against the L.A. clubs before a trip to New England. The Rapids have taken just eight of their total 38 points on the road this season.
The match was also important as Clavijo was able to welcome back some integral parts to the team for the stretch drive. Terry Cooke played for the first time since Aug. 9 after suffering a knee injury, while Alain Nkong made his first start since his return to the club this year. For Matt Crawford, it was his first appearance of the season.
"To see (Terry) Cooke, Alain (Nkong) and (Matt) Crawford was great. We created the chances and it was not for lack of effort or opportunities. We have to finish it and at times we haven't been able to. There were games when we weren't able to finish it and we had to pay the price for it," Clavijo said. "I think today, for me, it was good to see some of the guys back for the last five games of the season and hopefully the playoffs.
Crawford made his first appearance since June 11, 2005 after suffering a hip injury last year and then battling back through other ailments this year. He was nearly put on the season-ending injury just a few weeks ago.
"I tried to be smart about it and not make too many runs forward or strike too many balls. I basically just wanted to make it through that obstacle of my first game back. Certainly a lot of improvements can be made but the team won the game most importantly," Crawford said. "For me it was just playing with a bunch of new players. It is going to take some time to get used to. But we got the result most importantly. The muscles all around my hip tightened up and so I had some problems striking the ball. My legs felt OK so I thought I could do some more running."
The Rapids have now gone 10 consecutive league games without scoring more than a single goal in any one. Colorado has scored eight goals in that time.
"I don't mind creating the chances as long as we find a way to finish later in the season and in the playoffs," Clavijo said. "We need to find a better way of finishing it, there is no question about that."
After two games in the back four, Pablo Mastroeni again returned to a midfield role. "We are battling everyday and we have to make it as competitive as possible. (Breaking up the attack) is my role in the midfield, especially when you have guys like Kyle (Beckerman) that have been doing great offensively this year," he said. "My role is to go out there and bring out plays. Everyone needs to fill there role on this team and that's my role so I will try and continue to do it well."
