COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Once again the Colorado Rapids are in a must-win situation as they travel to The Home Depot Center on Sunday to take on Western Conference foes Chivas USA.
"We know what's at stake here - we are playing for our playoff lives," said captain Pablo Mastroeni. "In the past this team has responded really well to big challenges, [such as] playing Dallas in the first [playoff] round the last few years and going there and getting good results. I think we are prepared."
Only two playoff spots remain, and the Rapids must win to have any chance of making the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Currently, Kansas City and Chicago hold the final spots. After Saturday's results, if the Rapids fail to win against Chivas USA, they will be eliminated. Still, they remain optimistic about their chances.
"As far as team morale and the spirit in the camp, it's very positive," said Mastroeni. "We know who we are up against. [Chivas] are one of the best teams in the league. Hopefully we rise to the occasion. With the type of characters we have in the clubhouse, there's no doubt we will give it everything we have."
When Chivas and the Rapids last met, they played to a 1-1 draw Sept. 16 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Facundo Erpen received a red card in the 12th minute and Colorado had to play shorthanded for the rest of the match. Yet the Rapids responded and came from behind to salvage a draw against the Western Conference leaders.
"The last time we played with 10 men from 12 minutes in and we managed a tie, which I thought should've been a win. There was a penalty that was not [called] by the referee," said Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo, referring to when Conor Casey was taken down in the box in the final minutes.
This week, Colorado has the advantage of facing a Chivas team short on rest. The Los Angeles team played FC Dallas on Thursday night and battled to a scoreless tie. It was Chivas' 12th shutout of the season.
"We have been working and doing drills to emphasize finishing," said Clavijo, "But to score goals is not as simple as training. Some of the guys need to step up [on offense]. We are the fourth-best defense in the league but we are second-worst in offense."
Chivas are riding an 11-game undefeated streak that began in August. Their last loss was against Kansas City at the end of July.
"[Chivas USA] are a very good team; they are going through a very good period [and] playing with a lot of confidence," said Clavijo. "We feel comfortable even though we are facing a team that has not made any mistakes lately [and believe] that we can get a result there."
Unfortunately, the Rapids will be without their two starting center midfielders. Both Mehdi Ballouchy and Mastroeni are suspended for the Chivas match after being sent off in last Sunday's 1-0 home win against Toronto FC.
"It is hard to make up for [Pablo and Mehdi] because they are definitely key for us, but someone else will have the opportunity to step up and show they are capable of playing," said Clavijo "They need to do their job. We can cry all day long, but we need to perform regardless of who's going to be stepping on the field."
Colorado will look to veteran forward Casey for offensive leadership. Although still not 100 percent, his return from injury sparked the attack against Toronto FC. Casey's header into a crowd at the goalmouth forced Toronto to foul Facundo Erpen and produced the penalty kick that won last week's game.
In addition to losing Ballouchy and Mastroeni to suspension, defenders Ugo Ihemelu and Tony Sanneh remain doubtful for Sunday's match due to injury. Despite with depleted ranks, Clavijo is not fazed.
"I like to prove people wrong. I like being in a situation where we have the odds against us. Just look at what the Rockies are doing," he said.
Colin Walsh is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
