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No Rapids on preliminary World Cup roster
A mainstay for much of the decade and a promising forward were each left off the preliminary US World Cup roster announced Tuesday.
Colorado Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni — he of the World Cup experience and hours of roaming the defensive midfield spot — and forward Conor Casey — whose two goals punched the US ticket to South Africa — were not among the 30 players named to coach Bob Bradley’s preliminary roster.
And it’s probably good news for both.
Mastroeni has looked better on the field for Colorado this season than since about mid-2008. He looked tired most of ’09. He seems revitalized this season. Part of that is playing next to Jeff Larentowicz in a revamped midfield. Part of it is having more time to focus on club rather than country.
His loss, and it is definitely a loss for a proud professional, is Colorado’s gain.
The other omission is tougher to take. Casey had to know this was a great opportunity and one that slipped every time Edson Buddle scored. Buddle’s nine goals to start the season for LA, and his chemistry with Landon Donovan were two strikes against Casey.
The third strike was probably the toughest one to stomach. Casey has three goals in seven games, all scored from the penalty spot. He’s not getting good service as the Rapids search for the right combination in midfield. He looks frustrated as that last touch is missing in the attack — either on a final pass or a shot just wide. If he scores a couple of goals in the run of play, Casey’s making Bradley’s life very difficult. Without them, he’s not on the roster.
He was without.
The silver lining has to come in how Mastroeni and Casey will apply themselves knowing that they won’t be going to South Africa. They are both professionals, and I suspect being left off just gave them some added inspiration. We’ll see, but I really wouldn’t want to face either of them in the next few months.
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