COMMERCE CITY, CO – Following two error-filled losses to Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids put on a near-flawless performance at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last weekend to exact a 4-1 impact on the visitors from Montreal.
Head coach Pablo Mastroeni explained the change with one word, "Concentration."
"At this level, the difference between winning and losing comes down to those little moments. Tonight, they were on," Mastroeni said in reference to his light bulbs. "Deshorn [Brown] was on. Edson [Buddle] was on. All the guys in the midfield did a really good job."
Noting recent roster stability, Mastroeni said, "It’s a process. The relationships between the players from playing the same kind of group instead of switching out so many players...I think you’re going to start to see more consistency, more flow to the game."
Rapids players celebrate during their victory over Montreal (Photo: @ColoradoRapids | Twitter)Rapids players celebrate during their victory over Montreal (Photo: @ColoradoRapids | Twitter)
The Rapids/Impact kickoff followed a few hours after Real Madrid’s 4-1 extra-time victory over Club Atlético de Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Final, and Mastroeni said he enjoyed the championship game.
"It was an intense battle," Mastroeni said, “and it shows what it takes to win at that level. Down to the last minutes, to tie it up…It's pretty remarkable. I think my players were inspired by it."
With the World Cup less than a month away, Mastroeni said, "I’ll be watching and rooting for USA. I think it’s a group where if they can get out of there, they’ll have so much momentum going into the next round, anything can happen. For as much as everyone is saying it’s the 'Group of Death,' I think America plays really well when we’re the underdogs and have nothing to lose."
"We’re still not a country where we're one of the favorites and expected to play such a nice brand and win," Mastroeni continued. "We’re still not at that level yet. But in this position, against Portugal, Germany, and Ghana, it’s good for our psyche to be the underdogs in every single game and show the world what we’re capable of."
Like 2002?
"Exactly! That’s the only thing I got to go by," Mastroeni said knowingly. "So true."
