COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Much has been made of the Colorado Rapids’ offensive strengths in recent weeks, thanks to a combined 23 goals this season from Omar Cummings and Conor Casey and the recent addition of another threat in Macoumba Kandji.
But a thriving attack is of little use without a solid defense. The Rapids, with 26 goals conceded on the season, have allowed an average of only one goal a game, fourth-best in MLS.
And while it’s clearly been a collective effort, it’s tough to imagine this defense running as smoothly without Drew Moor. Now in his second season with the club, Moor has played every minute of the regular season this year for the Rapids, and was at it again Wednesday in typically solid form during Colorado’s 4-1 win over the visiting Philadelphia Union.
[inline_node:308262]In the 29th minute, the Texan center back made a superb clearance in a dangerous situation on a defensive header. Two minutes later he was at the other end, almost touching the ball into the net from a Jamie Smith free kick. He cleared away another dangerous situation in his own penalty area and then followed with a crunching tackle on Union veteran Fred, all in the span of roughly three minutes.
Moor crashed into billboards. He ran down loose balls. He tackled cleanly and with purpose.
But he wasn’t perfect. His mistake led to the last-gasp goal from Union youngster Jack McInerney, who pounced on a missed Moor clearance. And that mistake – one on an otherwise sparkling night for the Rapids and their prized young workhorse – was perhaps the last impression left on Moor when it was all said and done.
“I’m upset about it, but 4-1’s not bad,” Moor said. “It’s frustrating the way it happened, the last minute of the game after a great performance by the defense. I’m kind of left with it at the end of the night, but I’ll try and put it behind me.”
Despite some expected mistakes, Moor has appeared to grow into a more natural leader in the absence of his regular central defense partner, Julien Baudet. The Frenchman is still rehabbing a hamstring injury sustained in the recent 3-1 defeat in New York and looks set to maybe available again for the Oct. 9 game against FC Dallas.
Moor said he had learned a lot from his very vocal teammate.
“You pick up on that communication and start doing it back,’ Moor said. “Marvell’s great at it, Kosuke’s great at it. We have to try to keep each other on the same page and so far we have done that.”
Moor and the Rapids return to action on Saturday at home against D.C. United.
