The Rapids might need a saving grace, or maybe at least one player to help step up yet another one of Colorado’s scuffling teams. 21-year old midfielder Dillon Serna might be that tone-setting guy this team desperately needs.
During his rookie 2013 season, Serna saw action in only one game. However, in 2014, he started to heat up. With 18 game starts, three goals and four assists, Serna proved himself an asset with the Rapids and a capable MLS player.
This year, Serna was named to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s January camp, and was selected for the U.S. Under-23 Men’s side along with teammate Shane O’Neill. Both have enjoyed significant playing time and important roles with the U-23s, but have seen limited action back home in Colorado.
They recently helped the team earn a third place finish at the prestigious Toulon Tournament in France, taking time off from the Rapids to represent their country.
Now that Serna’s attention is turned back to the Rapids, he could be one of the key players that helps Colorado turn the season around. Serna has only had two starts and seven total appearances for two goals in the Rapids 15 MLS matches so far this season.
However, this could be Serna’s turning point. In Friday’s game against FC Dallas, Serna scored his second goal of the season to tie the game in the 88th minute. The goal saved what could have been yet another loss for the Rapids.
“At the beginning of the week, we saw a guy that was goal dangerous and hungry,” head coach Pablo Mastroeni told mlssoccer.com. “Those two things are what we need.”
That is what exactly what Serna showed in Friday’s game and that type of energy is going to be needed in Wednesday’s game against Orlando SC. Serna could get his third start of the season and that could be very beneficial for the Rapids as they take on Kaka and Orlando.
Even if Serna doesn’t start against Orlando, he should have at least earned an appearance. He has proved to be an effective player and he’s displaying the kind of attitude Mastroeni needs out of his club right now.
Sabrina Naccarato, a Mile High Sports intern and MSU-Denver student, contributed to this report