Nasco makes five saves in MLS debut

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Former Andrew College All-American Joe Nasco made five saves in his Major League Soccer debut for the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night, only a Clint Dempsey highlight-reel 52nd minute goal spoiled an opening clean sheet in a 1-0 loss for the Rapids.

Nasco, a 29-year-old rookie became a full-time deputy sheriff in Calhoun, Ga., working alongside his father-in-law in the Gordon County Sheriff's Office, arrived at the Rapids from the Atlanta Silverbacks, where he was named to the NASL Best XI in 2013, after being invited to preseason on trial where he allowed only one goal against in 75 minutes of action.

The Rapids signed Nasco on Feb. 12 to a four-year contract that includes three team options.

"At 29, he has a lot of time left as a goalkeeper; goalkeepers tend to play until their late 30s," said Rapids goalkeeper coach, Chris Sharpe. "He brings a lot of experience to our team. He's been in the NASL for a while, a lot of games in the last few years. ... We weren't looking for a short-term fill-in."