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Ballouchy adds spark to playoff berth chase

Midfielder makes return to former haunt in Utah

Pat Rooney, Special To The Rocky

Published September 22, 2007 at midnight

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The trade was supposed to help both teams. And it has, but the Colorado Rapids cannot help but believe they got the better end of the deal.

When the club dealt midfielder Kyle Beckerman to Real Salt Lake for Mehdi Ballouchy on

July 16, the Rapids were exchanging a popular eight-year Major League Soccer veteran for a player long on talent and potential but short on experience.

More than two months later, the Rapids wonder where their offense, and their season, might have detoured if not for Ballouchy.

The Moroccan national, who spent one year at Denver South High School, returns tonight to the city where he began his MLS career last season, as the Rapids take on Beckerman and his new teammates in Salt Lake City (7:30 p.m.).

"I was just there this season, so that makes it a little bit weird," Ballouchy said. "It should be a good game. I know the teams have a good rivalry going so, hopefully, we can get a win."

When Ballouchy arrived, the Rapids were mired in a winless streak in which they scored only one goal in their previous six matches.

In Ballouchy's first match, the Rapids scored twice in a draw against the Kansas City Wizards, and in five matches since he returned from a two- match suspension, the Rapids have scored nine goals. Ballouchy posted one goal and two assists during that stretch.

"That is why we made a change," coach Fernando Clavijo said. "Change sometimes is good not only for the team but for the players involved. Bringing Mehdi to us gave us a different outlook. Certainly, he was someone we were looking for - somebody in the midfield with better control who could change positions. He has brought us a lot more energy."

Contributions from Ballouchy will be crucial tonight, as the Rapids look to claim the Rocky Mountain Cup - they can secure the trophy from their regional rival with a victory - and gain better traction in the MLS playoff race without three of their more productive starters.

Forward Conor Casey did not make the trip in order to save his sprained right knee from the rigors of the synthetic turf at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Defender Facundo Erpen, who was issued a red card early in a draw against CD Chivas USA on Sunday, and midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (caution accumulation) will serve one-game suspensions.

Colorado, which enters the match trailing the Chicago Fire by two points for the final playoff spot, will start Stephen Keel along the back line and insert veteran Tony Sanneh into Mastroeni's defensive midfield position. Jacob Peterson will replace Casey on the attack.

"Definitely, we'll have our hands full," Clavijo said. "We have players who are capable, and they need to perform when they're given an opportunity. We're excited Chicago tied (Thursday) night, so with a win, we can get ahead, and that's what we need to do."