It was a storybook night in Rapids history. Team legend and first-year head coach Pablo Mastroeni was inducted into the club’s Gallery of Honor, and then his team went out and blitzed Chivas USA for a 3-0 victory in front of 14,652 fans at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Friday night.
During a pregame ceremony, highlights of Mastroeni’s career flashed on the stadium’s Jumbo-Tron and a slew of former teammates and fellow members of the Gallery of Honor passed along their well-wishes.
Team president Tim Hinchey and technical director Paul Bravo — himself a member of the Gallery of Honor — presented Mastroeni with a framed No. 25 jersey, and then Brian Mullan and Jamie Smith unveiled their former teammate’s name and number in the west stands.
“I realized, late on in my career after we won the MLS Cup in 2010 that the things you achieve in life are only as good as the people you have to share them with. Without them achieving anything is meaningless,” Mastroeni said in a pregame speech.
Mastroeni was flanked by his family, including his wife Kelly, his children and his parents.
“It was very emotional,” said Mastroeni’s father, Frank, who was choking up. “I tried to compose myself. Very emotional, very beautiful.”
The Rapids came out energized, with Vicente Sanchez and Nick LaBrocca returning from suspensions and Gabriel Torres making his first start since May 7.
Then things got even prettier, as a vibrant rainbow appeared behind the south stands where the Rapids supporters group Centennial 38 was singing, chanting and waving flags.
Then came the goals.
The Rapids opened the scoring in the 16th minute on a magnificent left-footed curler from LaBrocca. Torres streaked down the left side, cutting the ball back to Sanchez in the penalty area. His shot was deflected, but Dillon Serna was there to gobble up the rebound.
“(Serna) was aware, he just poked me the ball, I was able to create a yard and I just went for it,” LaBrocca said.
It was LaBrocca’s first goal since July 17 of last season.
The Rapids struck again in the 26th minute, as a Dillon Powers corner kick found an open Drew Moor near the 6-yard box. He headed it home, lifting Colorado’s lead to 2-0.
PHOTOS: Colorado Rapids 3, Chivas USA 0 – July 25, 2014
The Rapids expanded their lead to 3-0 in the second half, as Torres cut one onto his right foot and curled it far post. It was Torres’ final touch of the game, as he was subbed off to a round of applause.
“After such a long time out, it was great to get back out there,” Torres said through a translator, adding that he felt he played well and was happy the team got the three points.
The strike was the first goal of the season for the Rapids’ designated player.
“Tonight was a step in the right direction for Gabby,” Mastroeni said. “But more importantly, it was great to see a guy who was just playing carefree, playing his kind of game, getting in behind it was a joy to watch.”
With the victory, the Rapids jumped to third place in the Western Conference standings with 30 points in 20 games, behind Seattle and Real Salt Lake. They are fourth in the conference on points per game.
The Rapids kept the clean sheet despite the absence of Shane O’Neill, who is nursing a sore knee. Marvell Wynne slid over to center back to replace him, with Chris Klute getting the start at right back.
“I say it all the time, we’ve got to be a great defensive team, and from that, we’ll be a good attacking team,”Mastroeni said. “I wasn’t even going to think about offense tonight. I saw a backline that worked like a machine — didn’t allow too much between the lines, didn’t allow anything over the top. If we can keep that and fine tune that and make that the best, there’s no telling how far this group can go.”
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
