It is no surprise the Colorado Rapids are eager to get back on the field this weekend.
In the wake of Brian Mullan's 10-game suspension, the Rapids try to put another defeat behind them and avoid losing a fourth straight match when they host the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
It has been a tough few weeks for the defending MLS Cup champions, as Colorado has been shut out in losing each of its last three games. The Rapids, who scored eight times in winning their first three, have managed five shots on goal during the club's longest skid since dropping five straight June 2-28, 2007.
Despite its struggles on the field, much of the focus on Colorado (3-3-0)lately is on Mullan's suspension.
Mullan was also fined $5,000 on Thursday for a tackle on Seattle's Steve Zakuani in last Friday's 1-0 home loss. He slid hard into Zakuani's right leg, causing it to flail at a disturbing angle which resulted in a broken tibia and fibula.
The suspension handed down by MLS' disciplinary committee is the league's largest since 2007, and Rapids managing director Jeff Plush disagreed with the length.
Mullan, the Rapids' leader with 14 fouls committed and the only current five-time MLS Cup winner, has decided not to appeal the decision. The 11-year veteran issued an apology to Zakuani on Wednesday.
Colorado coach Gary Smith declined to comment on the suspension, and simply wants his team focused on ending its struggles against Chicago.
"The players will be trying to set the record straight on the field this weekend, and then we can turn our attention to supporting Brian in whatever way we can," he told MLS' official website.
The Rapids, likely without Conor Casey - the franchise leader with 42 goals - for a fourth straight game because of a strained left hamstring, are 1-3-4 against the Fire since 2007. Both meetings last season ended in 2-all draws, with Casey and Omar Cummings each scoring twice for Colorado.
The Fire (1-3-2) are expected to be without captain Logan Pause after he strained his hamstring in Wednesday's practice. The center midfielder, who had played all 540 minutes, will likely be replaced by Daniel Paladini.
Paladini had played for USSF Division 2 Carolina the last two seasons and has not appeared in an MLS game since 2008.
"He has very good feet, he's a smart player, he's working hard every day and he deserves to start on Saturday," coach Carlos de los Cobos told the Fire's official website.
Chicago ended its three-game losing streak with a 1-all tie against Houston last Saturday.
Forward Diego Chaves opened the scoring in the 18th minute with his team-leading fourth goal before the Dynamo tied it in the 83rd.
