The Colorado Rapids appear to have taken another injury hit to their lineup ahead of the first leg of the Western Conference Championship.
Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni told reporters on Tuesday that striker and conference semifinals hero Shkëlzen Gashi is doubtful for the team’s opening leg of the series against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on Tuesday, Nov. 22 (7 p.m. PT; FS1/KIRO 97.3 FM/El Rey 1360AM).
Gashi suffered a sprained ankle during the second leg of the conference semifinals against the LA Galaxy on Nov. 6 and had to be carried off the field before the Rapids eventually won the game and the series in a penalty kick shootout.
Gashi scored a fantastic game-winning goal in the 40th minute of the match for the Rapids before suffering the injury, showing off his penchant for dramatic winners for a Rapids team that scored just 39 goals this season, third fewest in MLS.
Gashi was also recently awarded the MLS Goal of the Year for another spectacular strike against the Vancouver Whitecaps in September, one of a team-high nine goals he scored this season.
Signed by the Rapids as a Designated Player in February, Gashi previously played for FC Basel of the Swiss Super League.
The Rapids suffered another injury setback on Sunday when it was revealed that starting goalkeeper Tim Howard would not return during the playoffs after suffering a groin injury last week while on duty with the U.S. national team.
