COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Rookie left back Danny Earls looked as perplexed as anyone in the Rapids locker room after their unexpected 1-0 loss to D.C. United last weekend.
It was hard to explain such a loss after a run of five straight home victories, commanding performances and outscoring opponents 14-1.
But that was five days ago, and the defeat is now largely out of everyone’s system, Earls said.
“It’s a tough loss, but we have got to look at it with a positive slant,” Earls told MLSsoccer.com after training on Wednesday. “We’ve been in a great run of form and that was just a bump on the road.”
The 21-year-old Irishman got the nod to start last weekend as head coach Gary Smith decided to rest a slightly injured Anthony Wallace.
Earls had started off the season as the regular left back after his move in the preseason from the USSF D2 Rochester Rhinos, but Wallace’s signing over the summer injury troubles have limited Earls’ chances since.
The Dubliner knew a couple of days before last weekend’s game that he would probably be involved. No such word from the coach yet this week as to whether he will be as involved in this weekend’s trip to Dallas. Smith said this week Wallace is fine, fitness-wise. Drew Moor, an ever-present in the Rapids’ defense this season, has also filled in at left back.
Earls said it hasn’t always been easy adjusting to being in and out of the team, but it was a fact of life at the elite level of the game.
“That’s professional sports everywhere,” he said. “You have to take the opportunities when you get them and be prepared for any game.”
Earls has sometimes seen action when he least expected it, including a first-half substitution from the bench against Kansas City in July when Kei Kamara and the Wizards’ attack were causing all sorts of problems for Scott Palguta playing at left back that day.
One attribute that Earls does have is pace, and it was that which led Smith to bring him on from the bench.
It remains to be seen whether Earls gets a call for the first team this weekend against FC Dallas or has to be content with playing in Sunday’s reserve game. Either way, the Irishman will be ready.
“You can’t get too down on yourself and you just try to get better and better,” he said. “Playing always helps.”
