COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Wells Thompson’s first MLS league goal for the Colorado Rapids last Saturday was a perfect reminder to the coaching staff that the midfielder can do a more than useful job for his team.
Coming on as a second-half substitute – as he has in recent games – Thompson picked up a ball outside the New England penalty area in the 83rd minute, made himself some room and calmly slotted one inside Matt Reis’s right-hand post for the third Colorado goal on the night.
It rounded off a convincing performance by the Rapids, who have now won their last three home games by identical 3-0 margins.
Earlier this year, Thompson – who was traded from New England along with Jeff Larentowicz at the start of the 2010 season – was in a three-way competition for one of two possible wide midfielder spots along with Colin Clark and Jamie Smith.
With Clark out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, it seemed it might free up a more regular starting spot for Thompson.
But then Clark was surprisingly traded last week in exchange for veteran Brian Mullan from Houston. Mullan walked straight into the starting lineup for last weekend’s game and Thompson was on the bench.
Thompson did what any player seeking a starting spot can only do: respond maturely and let your play in training and in games do the talking.
“I’ve always admired Brian, and I have tried to model my game a little bit on his,” Thompson told MLSsoccer.com last week. “He’s a tireless worker and he’s been that guy for years in Houston. A lot of life is how you respond to certain situations.”
Thompson’s response on Saturday was to come on and put the icing on the cake both for him and for his team. His goal made the game absolutely safe and marked his first goal for Colorado in league play. Earlier this season, the midfielder scored twice for the Rapids in a US Open Cup game against Kansas City.
WATCH: Thompson ices the cake
It was a moment of unbridled joy for the 26-year-old, who had faced a tough week with the signing of Mullan and the realization there was still more competition for a starting spot as a result. The game was against his old team and he had plenty of family and friends in town.
There was “added motivation,” as he put it. No wonder he tore off his shirt to celebrate. The booking was absolutely worth it, he said after the game.
Thompson may yet find himself playing a variety of roles for the Rapids as they enter the business end of the season. Head coach Gary Smith said last week that he even envisaged Thompson playing as a fullback if necessary. Thompson, himself, said he would be most comfortable in a central midfield role.
But the former New England player said he will play virtually anywhere to help the team.
“My job is to score goals and provide assists,” he said. “I hope the fact that I can be versatile will help in the long run.”
