Colorado Rapids have been suffering from several injuries for key players like Jose Mari. Just when it seemed that the 26-year-old will be able to start dominating the midfield, he has suffered yet another injury and will be on the sidelines for up to a month. He has sprained his left ankle and will miss several matches during this period. Mari suffered this injury while playing in the 2-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps. Colorado Rapids have been one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season. Even though they have been unable to keep pace with Seattle Sounders, they have been doing well.

After failing to win the last two matches, they returned to winning ways with this victory over Vancouver Whitecaps. However, the last two results allowed Seattle Sounders to extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points after having played just 16 matches. They have by far been the best team in the MLS this season. Mari was a signing from Spanish club Real Zaragoza back in February. He did not take long to settle at the club after managing two goals in the 2-1 win over Vancouver a few months ago.

So far, he has managed three goals and come up with one assist. “I think [right back Marvell Wynne] and [left back Chris Klute] did a really good job in the first half of putting them on their heels and creating imbalances in the midfield, releasing [the attack], and I think a part of that was the stability that Nicky [LaBrocca] and Wattsy [Watts] provided in the midfield, allowing guys to get forward. That was a focus this week. I think they executed it to a ‘T’,” said manager Pablo Mastroeni. Colorado Rapids next take on Columbus crew in a match that will be at home.