Major League Soccer

Mastroeni is central to Rapids resurgence.

Pablo Mastroeni, left, here getting by Josh Wolff, has led the Colorado Rapids back into the MLS Western Conference race. -- Colorado Rapids photos --

By Ed Draper
SoccerTimes

(Monday, July 5, 2004) -- Colorado Rapids central defender Pablo Mastroeni is a happy man, beaming throughout a recent interview. And why shouldn't he be? He's a regular with the United States men at central defense and vocal leader of a resurgent Rapids team that has won its last three matches and is unbeaten in five.

Mastroeni, 27, a defensive midfielder for most of his career describes his new defensive role as "a great honor," but remains adamant that it is not his best position. "For my style of play, (my best position) is probably in the midfield, probably more defensive midfield, holding, distributing the ball and making tackles," said Mastroeni who joined the Rapids in the 2002 dispersal draft after the Miami Fusion, a club he played for four years, folded.

Mastroeni has become a force in the middle of the Rapids' defense, as well as being a strong contender to be a starter in a similar position for the U.S. men as they commence World Cup qualifying. With his quick reactions and fearsome tackling, Mastroeni also is talented with the ball at his feet, able to distribute quickly and accurately to trigger an attack when the situation presents itself.

Whereas Mastroeni's physical skills have been apparent since he arrived in Colorado in 2002, he has emerged this season as a vocal leader both on and off the field. He barks instructions during games, helping goalkeeper Joe Cannon set the defense, and has been known to address his side before kickoff, as well. He likes to stress the work ethic of members of the U.S. national team as a model for success in Colorado. When striker John Spencer is sidelined, as has been the case in several outings this season, Mastoeni wears the captain's armband.

While Mastroeni might prefer life in the midfield, coach Tim Hankinson feels he has a gem in the heart of his defense. "When I look at what may be his strongest suit, it's playing in the back," Hankinson said. "I think in the midfield he wasn't able to see the game in front of him because he was always chasing, but at the back, he is able to use his voice which you don't see in the midfield."

Rapids veteran midfielder Chris Henderson, who also played alongside Mastroeni during the Fusion's final season, agreed with his coach, though opining that his teammate had the all-round talent to play any position. "His best position is at center back," Henderson said. "He's got the composure that you need at the back and we get the best out of him there, that's for sure. He's quick, great touch on the ball, strong and he's been around awhile."

Pablo Mastroeni

Henderson sees Mastroeni, who has already amassed 29 caps for the U.S. men, starring in the middle of defense throughout qualifying and in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. "I think Pablo should be one of the starting center backs, but there's a lot of competition at the back, that's for sure," Henderson said.

Of course, the Argentina-born Mastroeni wasn't even eligible to play for the U.S. until 2001. In that year, the player, whose family moved to the U.S. when he was four years-old, took American citizenship. His first appearance in American jersey came June 7, 2001, in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador. His first start came in his next appearance, December 9, 2001, in a 1-0 loss to South Korea.

Mastroeni never was considered for the legendary Argentinean side, so getting a chance to represent the U.S. was a dream come true. He developed his resume at North Carolina State University and during four years with the Fusion, joining the club in its expansion season of 1998. "I never had a chance or even a possibility to play for the Argentina," he said. "It was just a kind of dream of mine having been born out (with the U.S.).

Mastroeni proceeded to explain how the chance to play for the U.S. came about: "I had a good (MLS) season in 2001 and (U.S. coach) Bruce (Arena) gave me the opportunity to make the most of myself in the few games that I had. That opportunity may come only once in a lifetime and to pass it up because I could possibly play for Argentina in the future never entered my thought process."

Mastroeni became the only player selected for the 2002 U.S. World Cup roster who did not make an appearance in a qualifier. He started three games during the Americans' surprising run to the Cup quarterfinals -- two on defense and one as the defensive midfielder -- including a memorable performance in the opener in which he was credited with shutting down Portugal's attacking midfielder Rui Costa in the 3-2 upset win.

Despite his sudden success, Mastroeni is not content with his game. Both he and Hankinson agree he needs to work on his heading to bring his performance to the next level. "In the CONCACAF region, he (Mastroeni) looks exceptional because of his ability to read the type of their play," the coach observed. "Then again, with the European players, whose forwards are bigger in size, those are going to be challenges for him."

Mastroeni, who is listed as 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, is aware that he needs to focus on his game in the air. "I'm obviously a small guy, but it's something I've been working on," he said.

Indeed, Mastroeni has developed a ploy to dealing with big, domineering forwards. "Positioning -- using your body to not allow (an opponent) to get good leaps," he said.

Mastroeni seems very confident about the U.S.' chances of success through qualification and in Germany 2006. "We're not going to be the best, the classiest soccer players on the field, but I think we're good enough to get the work done, good enough to get a result," he predicted.

In particular, Mastroeni said, the fact that there no longer appears to be any dominant European soccer nations -- Germany and France both crashed out of the European Championships in the early stages -- bodes well for the U.S. "Not having a superpower country in Europe obviously works to our benefit because you think you can play against Germany and get a result, and against any of these European teams, as a matter of fact," he said.

The World Cup is two years away, though. In the meantime, Mastroeni's priority is helping the Rapids move up in Major League Soccer's Western Conference.

Ed Draper is a young British journalist, visiting the United States for two years to earn an advanced degree at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. E-mail Ed Draper.