By Ridge Mahoney

Having refuted rumors that he'll be hired as the U.S. national team assistant coach under Argentine Jose Pekerman, Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo has embarked on a scouting trip to South America.

Earlier this month he paid a visit to FIFA offices in Switzerland to discuss his dispute with the Haitian soccer federation, which he claims owes him money accrued during his stint as national team head coach. Now he can get back to the task of getting the Rapids over that final hurdle and into its first MLS Cup.

In 2006 Colorado again reached the Western Conference final by upsetting Dallas in the first round, only to be beaten. Last year, the Galaxy knocked off the Rapids, 2-0; this time, Houston rallied to win, 3-1, after falling behind early.

"It took time for us to get together, to understand what the idea was," says Clavijo, who will visit his native Uruguay as well as Argentina during the trip.

Colorado finished 11-13-8 and just barely snuck into the playoffs while ending the season with a five-game winless streak.

"It's hard to go on the road and play hard and not get a result, or to really outplay the other team and not find the net," he said. "The people who make the predictions never give us a chance and that gives us an extra push. We have used that in a positive way, everybody has."

The emergence of rookie Jacob Peterson, a solid season from Argentine import Nicolas Hernandez (seven goals) and an offensive outburst by Kyle Beckerman (also seven goals) were highlights of the 2006 season. Club management extended Clavijo's contract until 2008, and upon that announcement the Rapids went on a good run before flattening out at the end of season.

"I don't think the extension of my contract had anything to do with how the players perform," said Clavijo.

They revived in time to rally dramatically against Dallas after losing the first game, 2-1, at home. A 3-2 win in Dallas and 4-4 aggregate necessitated penalty kicks, and following the penalty kick shootout, Pablo Mastroeni and other players celebrating near the stands were pelted with objects thrown by angry Dallas fans.

In August, MLS had received an inquiry regarding Mastroeni and a possible loan deal from Italian club Brescia. Clavijo quelled any such discussions.

"More power to Pablo and anybody else if he has an opportunity to go to Europe," says Clavijo. "But at the end of the year.

"I talked to Pablo and he didn't surprise me. He's leader on this team and a professional and he understood."

Another offer may be coming next month, with the European transfer window re-opening Jan. 1.

Peterson, a forward at Indiana, stepped into a midfield role because of injuries to Terry Cooke and Dedi Ben-Dayan's decision to live with his mother in Israel. Thiago Martins, Clint Mathis, Jovan Kirovski, and Hernandez usually filled the forward slots.

"He was forced to play that position and sometimes you don't want to develop a young talent like that, but he responded well," says Clavijo of Peterson, who logged four goals and three assists in 28 games (17 starts). "He has an outstanding work ethic, he's an outstanding kid, who couldn't play 90 minutes for the first part of the season.

"Most kids in college don't play 90 minutes. That's a problem and sometimes these kids take one or two years to adjust to the professional demands, not only training and traveling, but playing. It was a hard season for us but he did well as a Generation adidas player."

Clavijo says he's pleased with the performances of Mathis ( 2 goals, 1 assist) and Kirovski (5 goals, 2 assists) despite their mediocre statistics.

Mathis, playing under a deal by which Real Salt Lake paid about two-thirds of his $410,000 salary, blasted a spectacular volley that knotted the Dallas series.

"With Clint, we have been very clear from the beginning, like with all the players," says Clavijo. "They know what I expect from them.

"I'm not concerned with personalities if they can perform on the field. I only want people with big personalities if they are willing to sacrifice for the team. If that's the goal, I have no issues."