After sitting in for the post-game press conference, Colorado Rapids forward Conor Casey gingerly walked off the podium. He then limped into his team's locker room where he was immediately greeted with a pat on the back.
Then came all the congratulations and thank yous from Casey's teammates after he sat in front of his locker room to have his right foot wrapped in ice, a result of getting a little "banged up."
The reaction in the locker room was only fitting after Casey put in a tremendous performance, scoring the second hat trick of his career en route to leading the Rapids to a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
"He's obviously the focal point of our attack," team captain Pablo Mastroeni said. "He's critical to our success and a guy that we lean on for our offense."
Indeed, big things were expected of Casey heading into this season after he missed the first nine games last season while rehabbing from surgery to an anterior cruciate ligament. He still managed a team-leading 11 goals last season.
After going scoreless in Colorado's first two games, Casey came through in a big way on Saturday night. Getting through the preseason was the first step in getting to this point.
"Really, being able to make it through an entire preseason was huge," Casey said. "I haven't been able to do that in three or four years. I feel great, and obviously getting the goals is always a boost."
Particularly when it happens as fast as it did for Casey against the Galaxy. Casey recorded the second fastest goal in MLS history, scoring just 16 seconds into the match. Only Dwayne De Rosario, who scored in 11 seconds on Sept. 27, 2003, during a match between San Jose and Dallas, has scored faster.
Casey could thank forward Omar Cummings for the cross coming to him so quickly.
"Obviously I was very surprised, especially that kind of goal with an open cross where we're attacking and I don't have to do anything but tap the ball in," Casey said. "It was great way to start the game."
And it was just a prelude to the kind of night it would be for Casey. With the Rapids facing a 2-1 deficit, Cummings and Casey hooked up again in the 50th minute to tie the game at 2-2. It was almost an exact replica of their first connection, with Cummings sending a cross from the right side to Casey in the box.
"To even up at 2-2 quickly was a big boost for us," said Casey, who scored just two minutes after the Galaxy took the lead. "Being behind after the half, it's tough going into the 60th, 70th, 80th minute when you're still down. Getting even was good."
Yes, but completing the hat trick in the 84th minute was best as it sealed a big win in the first of three consecutive road games for Colorado.
"To get the late goal and get three points on the road is huge for us at this point in the season," Casey said. "It's a real confidence boost."
All Casey's performance did was reaffirm what he means to Colorado as the Rapids move forward with this road trip and the rest of the season -- so long as he remains healthy.
"As long as he stays healthy, you see the qualities that he has," Rapids coach Gary Smith said. "I think his worth to the team is immense. ... We're well aware of what he's capable of, and I hope we're going to see much more of that. And I'm sure we will."
Simon Jude Samano is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
