Oscar Pareja has found a new option at left back. Veteran right-sided midfielder Brian Mullan.
Prior to Friday's preseason match against LA - the team's last before the season opener - Pareja told ColoradoRapids.com that the team was "evaluating two or three possibilities that are important in the competition for positions, and we want to see them on Friday."
And he did.
Mullan - who had been working at right back along with Marvell Wynne for nearly all of preseason - got the start against LA on the left side of the defense. Youngsters Anthony Wallace, Chris Klute, and Kory Kindle had split time in that spot through most of the first five weeks.
"We wanted to see how Brian reacted in that spot," Pareja said afterwards. "His experience is very valuable to us, as is the energy and leadership he brings to the team. And we wanted to see him there."
Wallace played the full 75 at left back in the scoreless scrimmage earlier in the day against UC Santa Barbara. Klute came in for Mullan in the second half against LA. Kindle was held out with a slight injury.
"Chris Klute came on in the second half and did well," Pareja said. "So we have very good options."
The Rapids open at FC Dallas next Saturday, leaving the staff limited training sessions to make a decision, if they haven't already.
"We would like to be set, but these games give us a lot of information," Pareja confessed. "Hopefully we can start with a good performance and a good result next week."
