Rapids' starting 'keeper remains mystery
Colorado undecided on who will start in goal against FC Dallas this week
Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith is facing just such a problem this week, having, as he puts it, "only one shirt," for his team's goalkeeping job this week at FC Dallas. After missing the past five matches due to a sprained knee, Matt Pickens has worked his way off the injury report and should be available for what will be a crucial match in the playoff picture on Saturday.
While Smith would not tip his hand about which netminder would get the nod, Pickens' play resonated loudly for Colorado through much of the season, while veteran Preston Burpo made certain his play during Pickens' five-game absence would force Smith to think long and hard about his decision.
"Matt has been involved in a lot of the competitive stuff we've done in the last week or 10 days, and I'm sure he will be in contention for the spot on the weekend," Smith said on Tuesday following his team's training session. "We'll make that decision a little closer to Saturday. They are two very good goalkeepers fighting over one shirt. It's a tough decision for me."
Pickens and the Rapids were on quite a roll before he went down in early September. In Pickens' last game on Sept. 5, Colorado recorded a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC for the club's third win - all of them shutouts - in four games.
The Rapids have gone winless during Burpo's five-game stint, though that can be attributed more to the lack of finished chances in the offensive end than any shortcoming of Burpo's. After suffering a 3-2 loss in a rematch at Toronto in the first match after Pickens' injury, the Rapids have reeled off four consecutive draws with Burpo in net. Burpo has allowed only three goals during the club's run of draws.
"I have to say, I've not seen an awful lot wrong with Preston's performances," Smith said. "But that's why we have such an experienced and talented number of players. I say Preston's a No. 2, but he's not really. They're both No. 1's. I've said that on a number of occasions. On a number of other clubs, Preston would have been the first choice.
"Matt, being a younger guy, certainly has a good future ahead of him, a lot of potential. But Preston has performed remarkably well and has steadied the ship for us. The experience he has has given us a bit of comfort to know we have such a good guy between the sticks."
In nine games overall, Burpo has posted a 1-2-6 record with a 1.22 goals-against average. Pickens has recorded seven shutouts while going 9-6-4 with a 1.16 goals-against average. Pickens indicated he has not talked with Smith about his status for this week but is willing to play whatever role necessary to support Colorado's late playoff push.
"I've been training for two weeks and I feel good now," Pickens said. "I really haven't had a conversation with (Smith) about the knee since I had my MRI. I can have my opinion on it, but at the end of the day it is coach's decision, and I will go with anything he tells me or Preston to do. You always want to play, but if I don't you still have to be ready to help the team and support Preston."
Pat Rooney is a contributor to MLSnet.com
