Rapids' Gomez looks like real deal

Two-forward ploy works for Colorado against D.C. United

By Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published May 4, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.
Updated May 4, 2008 at 8:33 p.m.

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After promising changes in order to spark the Rapids' struggling attack, coach Fernando Clavijo completely shuffled the deck for his team's match against D.C. United on Sunday.

It helped that the Rapids had a trump card in midfielder Christian Gomez, who was eager to show United what it is missing after trading him to Colorado in February.

Using a new formation, a new lineup and receiving an inspired effort from Gomez, the Rapids snapped a two-match losing streak with a 2-0 victory at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The Rapids (3-3) matched the scoring total they produced in their three previous matches and climbed into a share of first place in the Western Conference heading into their road match Saturday against Houston, the two-time defending Major League Soccer champion.

"Our goal (Sunday) was to dictate the pace from beginning to end," Clavijo said. "Those changes helped us."

With the Rapids' preseason injury problems improving, Clavijo was able to unveil the two-forward formation the team had been plotting to use since it acquired Gomez.

Midfielder Jacob Peterson and defender Jordan Harvey made their first starts this season. Ugo Ihemelu, the team's most athletic defender, also made his first start after missing the first five games because of offseason hip surgery.

Peterson helped make Clavijo's moves pay off. After a nifty spin move by Gomez put the midfielder in open space, he sent a lead pass that Peterson blasted past D.C. goalkeeper Zach Wells, giving the Rapids a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.

Gomez also earned an assist on the Rapids' insurance goal in the 72nd minute, tapping a pass to Terry Cooke, who was displaced in the starting lineup and had entered the match less than a minute earlier.

Cooke then sent a crossing pass into the box that defender Facundo Erpen headed home for a 2-0 lead.

"I think two forwards - it helps us a lot to keep the ball," Peterson said. "I thought Omar (Cummings) and Tom (McManus) did well. They worked hard together. And it helps free Christian up a little bit. Teams could key on him, and as he goes, our team goes."

Gomez's first two-assist match for the Rapids came against the club that brought him into the MLS in 2004 and for whom he won the league MVP award in 2006. Yet if Gomez was anxious to produce against his former team, he wasn't telling his new teammates.

"He hasn't mentioned anything," Clavijo said. "He's such a professional. He went out to say hi to those guys at the hotel. I'm happy for him. Always when you leave a team, regardless how you leave it, you always feel happiness when you can prove yourself and contribute the way he did."

Rapids 2, D.C. United 0

D.C. United 0 0 - 0

Rapids 0 2 - 2

Goals - Peterson, Col (C. Gomez), 53rd minute; Erpen, Col (Cooke, C. Gomez), 72nd minute.

Shots on goal - DC, 1-1 - 2; Col, 0-3 - 3. Saves - DC (Wells 1); Col (Coundoul 2). Corner kicks - DC, 0-5 - 5; Col, 7-3 - 10. A - 13,115.

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