A little more than a month ago, riding a 10-game winless streak, the Colorado Rapids seemed to be spiraling out of control. But since, they've pulled themselves back to the brink of playoff contention with three wins and two draws in their last six games -- perhaps none more notable than Sunday's 1-1 tie with Chivas USA.
Down a goal and a man after just 13 minutes after seeing a penalty kick awarded and a red card brandished on the same play, the Rapids kept battling and scored a late goal to earn the tie. The result keeps them one point out of the top eight in the MLS overall standings.
"I've always felt that our group of guys is some of the hardest working guys in the league," said Colin Clark, whose goal 14 minutes from the end providing the equalizer. "Pablo [Mastroeni] will run until he passes out -- it is amazing. That's why he is captain for us and was captain for the national team for quite a while. Playing with somebody like that, it is easy to get up and work your butt off."
The game was punctuated by lightning delays, one at halftime and a long one midway through the second half, which might have allowed the battered Rapids to recover. Some of the team, including Mastroeni, were actually suffering with flu symptoms, which contributed to the early substitution of defender Mike Petke.
The Rapids made good use of the breaks, according to head coach Fernando Clavijo.
"The way everything happened coming into the game, with Mike Petke and Pablo Mastroeni sick, we really didn't know what was going to happen," said Clavijo. "Every time we came in [for a break], Pablo was getting an IV to try to get fluids in. When you look at all that, and the red card 12 minutes in, one point at the end of the day is not that bad, but we were definitely looking for three points."
The Rapids currently have 29 points, one behind Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot. Their remaining games see them face road games at Real Salt Lake, currently out of playoff contention, and New England, who have already clinched a playoff spot. They then come home to face Eastern Conference bottom-feeders Toronto FC before going on the road again to again face Chivas USA. Their final game comes at home against Real Salt Lake in the final Rocky Mountain Cup match of the season.
For the Rapids to come all the way back from that poor midseason stretch and climb back into the playoff chase, they will have to take advantage of every opportunity they have against teams below them.
"I think we put ourselves behind the 8-ball early, but we battled back against the hottest team in the league," said Mastroeni. "We put out the effort, didn't sit back, and applied pressure as much as we could. At the end, I think it was a good result, but at no point in the game were we comfortable with getting the draw."
Geoffrey Urland is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
