Colorado Rapids Defender Drew Moor Out for Season, Defense Suffers Big Blow
By Phil Naegely
Aug 2, 2014; Commerce City, CO, USA; Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor (3) and Real Salt Lake forward Robbie Findley (10) battle for control of the ball in the second half of the match at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Real Salt Lake defeated Colorado Rapids 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Injury news for the Colorado Rapids just got worse. On Tuesday, the Rapids announced defender Drew Moor is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered in Sunday’s game against DC United. This news brings big blow to an already banged-up Rapids squad that is struggling to make a strong playoff push.
Currently, the Colorado Rapids sit 7th in the Western Conference playoff standings. With the Moor news, it does not seem like this will change much.
Moor recalled the incident that led to injury with ColoradoRapids.com on Tuesday.
"“It’s hard to remember exactly what happened,” said Moor this week about the incident. “I just remember running full speed one way, and cutting really hard when [Luis] Silva cut in. My right leg was planted pretty hard and when I opened up to reach back for the ball, my right leg didn’t move and all the weight just went into my knee. It was almost as if, for a split second, I could feel my knee turn into jelly.”"
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On top of Moor being out for at least the remainder of the 2014 MLS season, the Rapids are dealing with other injuries. Fellow central defender Shane O’Neill has been sidelined recently. According to the Colorado Rapids, O’Neill received “platelet-rich plasma injections on Monday to help facilitate healing of a troublesome sprained right knee.” O’Neill’s injury occurred during their game against the Philadelphia Union on July 12. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but he’s still experiencing pain.
After the Moor news dropped and Twitter reacted, MLSsoccer.com Rapids beat writer Chris Bianchi revealed O’Neill may be done for the year. Later in the afternoon , he received confirmation on O’Neill missing the remainder of the season.
Moor’s absence for the remainder of the season is bad news for Colorado. His injury couldn’t come at a worse time as the Rapids are trying to clinch a playoff spot. IF O’Neill misses the season as well, the Rapids’ defense will have major holes and their team’s playoff chances are doomed. Additionally, their performance against FC Dallas that ended in a 4-2 loss will be something that will continue without Moor and O’Neill.
Moor’s removal due to injury is a big blow. However, if O’Neill misses the remainder of the season, the Rapids will be without their starting center back tandem and that is never good for any soccer team.
Quotes and information provided by ColoradoRapids.com.