COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids and most other MLS teams are off this week as the men’s national team takes priority in the attention of America’s soccer fans, giving coach Pablo Mastroeni time to mull difficult decisions forced by a demanding stretch soon to come.
Winners of their last three home games, the Rapids will play four games in 12 days starting with a U.S. Open Cup match here next Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Energy of the second-tier United Soccer League. The following Saturday they will play the first of three MLS games in eight days. The team practiced Tuesday and Wednesday but has Thursday and Friday off to rest up for what’s coming.