COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – One of the Colorado Rapids’ main goals this past offseason was strengthening their midfield – making a point to add the “bite” that signified the mentality of head coach Pablo Mastroeni.
In came veterans Marcelo Sarvas and Sam Cronin. But the biggest acquisition was perhaps the singning of 23-year-old Argentine Lucas Pittinari on loan from Belgrano of Argentina’s first division.
And that grit was on display in a season-opening scoreless draw with the Philadelphia Union two weeks ago – the first and only look at the new-look Rapids this season after last weekend’s bye – an impressive road result despite playing the final 20 minutes down a man after Bobby Burling was sent off.
It's a small sample size, of course, but an example of the club culture Mastroeni hopes to build in Colorado.
“You’ve got to roll up your sleeves and work hard,” Mastroeni said of the performance. “You can’t be fluff. It’s not all puppy dogs and ice cream.”
Despite his age, Pittinari brought a wealth of experience with more than 70 appearances with Belgrano. Against the Union, Pittinari looked comfortable, accounting for a third of Colorado’s 18 tackles against the Union.
Mastroeni accredited similarities between the two leagues as reason for Pittinari’s easy adjustment in Colorado.
“I think the Argentinian first division is a lot like MLS,” Mastroeni said. “It’s hard, it’s intense, and it’s fast on both sides of the ball. His adaptation has been really good.”
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Pittinari said both Mastroeni and Colorado Rapids director of soccer Claudio Lopez, who have Argentinian ties themselves, were pivotal in selling him on the move to the Rapids.
“They showed interest in me, and I wanted to come here ever since then,” Pittinari told MLSSoccer.com. “I also think MLS is a league that is in full development that grows day by day. I feel very comfortable here.”
The learning curve will increase when Colorado play host to New York City FC on Saturday (4 pm ET; MLS LIVE). In addition to being part of a collective effort to limit David Villa, who scored a goal and assisted Patrick Mullins in NYCFC’s 2-0 win over New England over the weekend, Pittinari will be tasked with limiting US international Mix Diskerud, who has been the pivotal man in NYCFC’s midfield. Playing between the boxes, Diskerud has managed more than 60 successful passes against both Orlando City and New England to start off the season.
Entering his first game at Dick's Sporting Good Park, Pittinari isn't daunted by the task at hand.
"I want to grow as a player," he said. “The games are very competitive, and to be able to compete and make the playoffs we have to be strong at home.”
