COMMERCE CITY — While the additions of two experienced center forwards in Kevin Doyle and Luis Solignac give the Rapids more lineup flexibility, it will also mean fewer minutes for rookie striker Dominique Badji.
Badji, a fourth-round 2015 SuperDraft pick out Boston University, has been the Rapids’ primary target striker this season, scoring one goal in nine games (six starts).
“It allows us to bring Badji along a bit more slowly,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said last week while the club introduced striker Luis Solignac.
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Badji could see minutes for the Rapids as a substitute, but was not in the 18 last week in Kansas City. The game was eventually postponed by lightning.
The Rapids will need to decide what will be best for Badji’s development: Playing regular minutes on loan with Charlotte Independence, or learning first-hand from Solignac and Doyle, who has scored 92 goals in 357 appearances in English football.
“It’d be great for him to stick around and really learn from guys like Luis and Kevin, who are just dynamic,” Mastroeni said. “Their movements are great, their awareness around the ball is great, and these are things you can only really get from being around it and being in that environment.”
Badji is ready to soak up as much as he can.
“Being a rookie, I will use any of the help I can get,” Badji said. “I kind of hit the ground running, (with) nobody to really replicate my game around or watch on the team.”
Mastroeni knows getting time with veterans is valuable. In his brief time with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2013, he saw Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane constantly pull forward Gyasi Zardes aside to offer critiques.
Zardes had a breakout season for L.A. in 2014, scoring 16 goals and four assists in 32 games (26 starts).
“To see how much better Gyasi (Zardes) got in the six months I was (in Los Angeles) to then last year was tremendous,” Mastroeni said.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
Rapids Game Day
VANCOUVER AT COLORADO
How to watch and listen: 7 p.m. Saturday, ALT; 94.1 FM, 1600 AM, 1650 AM
Spotlight on Kevin Doyle: The third designated player in Rapids history could make his debut after arriving in Colorado this week. The Republic of Ireland international striker scored 14 goals in 61 national team appearances and 92 goals in 357 club games in English soccer before joining the Rapids. Doyle, 31, participated in training this week but was still acclimating to the altitude and overcoming jet lag after his move from Europe. He is expected to be available for Saturday’s match.
NOTEBOOK
Colorado: The Rapids (1-2-7) will be trying to snap a Major League Soccer-record 11-match home winless streak, dating to July 25 last season. Coach Pablo Mastroeni said Dick’s Sporting Goods Park “needs an exorcism” after the Rapids’ draw against San Jose Earthquakes two weeks ago. Argentine striker Luis Solignac could make his Rapids debut. He was scheduled to start against Sporting Kansas City on the road last weekend, but the match was rescheduled for Oct. 21 because of lightning. Saturday’s match begins a stretch of three games in eight days for the Rapids, against all three Cascadia Cup teams.
Vancouver: The Whitecaps (6-4-2) have had success on the road this season, producing three wins and a draw in five matches. Historically, however, they have not fared well in Colorado, going 0-4-1.
Footnote: Marcelo Sarvas returned to Colorado on Wednesday to take the next step toward full fitness after arthroscopic knee surgery April 27. He won’t play in Saturday’s match.
