COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Drew Moor won’t be counted on to supply more than a handful of goals in 2012. But when he does score, the Colorado Rapids center back makes it count.
In last Saturday’s 2-0 First Kick victory over the Columbus Crew at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Moor’s powerful header in the 44th minute put the Rapids 1-0 up at a pivotal time of the game. Moor continued a trend of scoring big goals, something that began last season.
“Whenever you’re able to go up and actually get a set-piece goal it’s huge, not just for the team but for the attack,” Moor said. “[You want] to support the attack to show there’s other guys who can score goals.”
Each of Moor’s career-high four goals during the 2011 season were also vital, as every game in which the 28-year-old scored resulted in either a win or a draw for the Rapids. Moor’s goal on Saturday was the 14th of his nine-year MLS career.
Of course, for Moor, his first priority is helping to keep the ball out of the back of the net. That was something the Rapids defense, anchored by Moor, was effective in doing during last weekend’s convincing win. Colorado's solid back line allowed the midfield and forwards to flourish and create several scoring opportunities, which they capitalized on, much to Moor’s delight.
“We kept things organized early,” Moor said. “Marvell [Wynne], Jeff [Larentowicz] and I try and the other defenders try and keep things organized in the back and kill off plays early. The earlier you can kill off a play, the earlier you can communicate to get guys in the right spots and the better job you’re going to do in keeping them from getting opportunities.”
WATCH: Moor heads home opener in Colorado's 2-0 victory over Columbus
