Midfielder ably shifted to center spot in absence of veteran Mastroeni
By Owen Perkins / MLSnet.com Staff                                                                                                                                               03/31/2009 4:31 PM

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- When the Colorado Rapids hit the road to take on the LA Galaxy this weekend, they’ll take more than mere momentum from their home-opening victory over Kansas City with them. They’ll take their captain and center midfielder Pablo Mastroeni along for extra fortification.

Mastroeni missed Saturday’s match, but his absence gave the Rapids a chance to test their depth at midfield and show that they could adjust with Nick LaBrocca sliding into center from the right. The tandem of Jacob Peterson and Terry Cooke on the right proved effective, as Peterson pressured the Wizards for 64 minutes before Cooke entered, scored the game’s first goal, and later set up the game-winner on a counterattack.

"They’re big shoes to fill, we know that," head coach Gary Smith said of Pablo’s absence. "[LaBrocca] was slightly off the pace in the first half. Along with one or two other opportunities, I’ll pick a moment where we had a chance to maybe get out to Colin [Clark] quickly to face up the fullback, and [LaBrocca] misses the target.

"It was one or two instances, but knowing what he’s capable of, I thought he was just missing out on opportunities to get on the ball and be more effective," Smith continued. "In the second half for sure he was better on the ball. One thing you’re never going to lack with Nick is endeavor."

Though LaBrocca has long been identified as a midfielder capable of taking on Mastroeni’s role in the center of the Rapids game plan, he does bring different qualities to the pitch. Mastroeni sees himself as a defensive-oriented midfielder, while teammates recognize a more offensive leaning to LaBrocca’s play.

"Pablo’s the guy that does all the dirty work, so missing him is obviously key," goalkeeper Matt Pickens said. "On some of those second and third and fourth balls, we missed him [Saturday]."

With frequent national team call-ups expected throughout the season from every portion of the Rapids roster, any ideal gameplan is backed up by a "Plan B." To learn early in the season that the squad is prepared to stay on pace when a key starter is missing bodes well for the club’s confidence moving forward.

"I’m glad Nick came in and brought something to the table, which is a little more offensive," Pickens said. "That’s another opportunity for someone to get in and show themselves what they can do and what they can bring to the team. Nick did well [Saturday] in filling in for Pablo."

LaBrocca is an excellent fit for Smith’s quick, aggressive attacking style, and with Mastroeni absent Saturday and Cooke starting the first two matches on the bench, the Rapids had a decidedly younger midfield. The lack of a veteran presence might have hindered the creativity and playmaking, but the starters brought an intensified pace and a relentless and largely successful effort to keep Kansas City on its back foot to the match.

LaBrocca took the shift in stride, adapting well to a midfield without Mastroeni and providing capable direction from the center spot.

"It took a little bit to get used to the spacing again," LaBrocca said. "It was good. I enjoyed myself out there."