COMMERCE CITY, Colo.- Everything worked to plan for the Colorado Rapids on Friday night in their 3-0 demolition of Chivas USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with one notable exception.
Midfielder Jared Watts suffered a right shin contusion in the first half of Friday’s match, forcing the rookie to leave the game early.
“It’s day-to-day,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said of Watts’ condition postgame on Friday. “[Contusions] are hit-or-miss.”
Watts appeared upset with the fourth official as he was subbed out in the 42nd minute, going over to the official’s table to show him the contusion. Watts drew a yellow card just minutes prior on former teammate Nathan Sturgis in the 36th minute of the match.
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Should Watts be forced to miss Wednesday’s trip to New England, reinforcements could in short supply.
The Rapids are going through a bout of minor injuries, with midfielder Jose Mari’s sprained ankle leading the charge (he’s missed almost a full month with the injury). Striker Deshorn Brown (groin) and defender Shane O’Neill (knee) were both also forced to miss Friday’s match through injury, but both are expected to return to action in the next few days and are considered day-to-day. Veteran midfielder Vicente Sanchez is unlikely to travel to New England for rest purposes.
“He’s not one guy to come out for anything, so if he’s coming out, he’s hurt,” Mastroeni said. “It’s unfortunate, but those things happen a hundred times in a game.”
Chris Bianchi covers the Colorado Rapids for MLSsoccer.com.
