One of the surprises of the 2008 MLS season has been Colorado Rapids midfielder Nick LaBrocca, who played only two games in his rookie season but he’s started every game for the Western Conference co-leaders going into Thursday’s match against Real Salt Lake.
Dubbed the “Silent Sponge” for his ability to take advice and put it into action, LaBrocca was taken with the 35th pick in the 2007 SuperDraft. His lack of size as a youngster helped him later. “When I was younger, I was the shrimp,” LaBrocca said. “I always had to figure out a way to outsmart the bigger guy, the faster guy.”
LaBrocca got a chance because of injuries but has earned his starting role. “He’s very smart,” Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said. Pablo Mastroeni, who played ahead of LaBrocca in 2007, says the Howell, N.J., product has a good soccer brain. “He is a good soccer player before he’s an athlete,” said the two-time World Cup veteran. “I think those players are few and far between, especially coming out of college.”