Late in the game with Colorado losing 2-0 against a tough Crew team, Gary Smith threw caution to the wind and inserted Claudio along with Mac Kandji as he switched to a 2-5-3 formation. Claudio Lopez looked like he hadn't looked all season long, providing clinical passes and even a couple of chances on goal for himself, along with playing a bit of defense. He literally looked like he was on every part of the relatively small Columbus Crew pitch at the same time and eventually the Rapids powerful attack after the subs paid off with a Conor Casey goal. Lopez scored the most beautiful of the Rapids penalty kicks as well, with a bullet perfectly placed into the top left corner.
I'm not sure if Gary Smith's incessant chanting of "He has a role to play" all season long in regards to Lopez were meant as a sign that he will be our playoff charm, but if he did mean it, well it's certainly worked so far.
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Matt Pollard 