COMMERCE CITY – Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni loves to communicate through analogies, and they are often highly imaginative. That was the case again Tuesday after the team’s training session when he gave his take on the psychological dynamic at play in the waning moments of the team’s heartbreaking loss to Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
With five minutes remaining the Rapids seemed in control with a 1-0 lead over their inter-mountain rivals, but then they misplayed an RSL set piece and Jared Watts was called for a hand ball in the penalty area. The resulting penalty kick tied the game and Watts was sent off with a red card.