COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids’ starting goalkeeper position remains in flux heading into Saturday’s home game against Portland, with coach Pablo Mastroeni citing concern about Clint Irwin’s confidence.
“I feel that Clint has been, rightly or wrongly, taking so many goals,” Mastroeni told reporters this week. “For a young player to experience that type of situation, especially as a goalie, you start to lose confidence.”
Irwin opened the season with seven shutouts in his first 16 starts. But after a series of injuries to the Rapids’ back line, Irwin has allowed 17 goals in his past four games behind a makeshift defense.
The decision comes down to playing Irwin or rookie John Berner, who has two shutouts in four starts this season. Rookie goalkeeper Joe Nasco, who started Colorado’s last two matches, is suspended for Saturday’s game after receiving the fastest red card in MLS history — 33 seconds into the Rapids’ 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy last Friday. It was the worst loss in Rapids history and extended the club’s losing streak to a franchise-worst seven games.
Mastroeni said he had discussions with goalkeepers coach Chris Sharpe, and planned to talk to Irwin to see where he is mentally before making a decision.
“The psychology is going to be the most important element this weekend,” Mastroeni said. “It’s not so much technique or ability. It’s going to be more the psychological piece that’s strong, and whether that’s Clint or John, as Sharpe’s always said, he feels we’ve got the three best goalies in the league.”
Irwin said the six goals the 10-man Rapids allowed against Los Angeles was the worst performance he has experienced since his days playing club soccer.
“You approach every game sort of like a blank slate, but it certainly doesn’t help the confidence at all,” Irwin said.
Mastroeni said recently he doesn’t think Irwin has been playing poorly, but he turned to Nasco to provide vocal leadership out of the back — something he felt was missing since the injury to Rapids captain Drew Moor.
Irwin, however, said he doesn’t think his performance has been where he wants it to be.
“I don’t think I’ve been terrible, but I don’t think I’ve been at the standards I’d like to be at,” Irwin said.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
