COMMERCE CITY —The Rapids are quickly becoming one of the best stories in MLS.

The lowest-scoring team in the league a year ago, Colorado (5-2-2) has scored nine goals in its past four games, a spurt coinciding with the Rapids’ rise to the top of the MLS standings for the first time in four years.

“I don’t think it’s anything in particular,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said of the scoring outburst. “It’s guys still getting to know each other. It’s being more opportunistic in front of goal, taking chances better — and obviously a couple set-piece goals as well.”

It is clear the talent level has improved. During the offseason, Colorado added Guatemalan playmaker Marco Pappa and Albanian attacker Shkelzen Gashi, the top scorer in the Swiss league the last two years, to go with Argentine striker Luis Solignac and Irish center forward Kevin Doyle.

Perhaps the most notable addition, however, has been U.S. star Jermaine Jones, who has two goals and two assists in three games.

“He’s a very opportunistic player,” Mastroeni said of Jones. “On set pieces, he’s really courageous and brave.”

Mastroeni has used Jones in an attacking role as opposed to defensive midfield, where he plays with the national team.

“A lot of people don’t know that back in the day I was a striker,” Jones said. “I like to attack. I’m not really a complete defense player. Most of my career I played it, but I prefer to attack the goal too.”

Jones’ energy and commitment to winning have helped drive Colorado, Mastroeni said, fostering a locker-room culture the Rapids’ coach has strived for since taking over in 2014.

As the Rapids’ attack begins to jell, a new trend has emerged: good shooting accuracy. The Rapids are tied for the most shots on target in MLS this season (54). They are also tied for the league lead in assists (15), a statistic that indicates they are moving the ball effectively.

However, Mastroeni insists the stats are just a byproduct.

“We don’t aim to achieve those stats,” Mastroeni said. “The aim is to make sure that we do all the little things that no stat can quantify.”

Mastroeni said it’s hard to say why things are going so well, but confidence is a big factor. As the Rapids keep rolling, belief builds and it becomes a “self-fulfilling prophecy,” he said.

A key figure in helping the strikers build confidence has been assistant coach John Spencer. Mastroeni went to London this past offseason to recruit the former Rapids striker to join his staff. The coach credits Spencer for inspiring the attackers.

“He’s a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve,” Mastroeni said.

Solignac has seen tremendous improvement this season working with Spencer, a former Portland Timbers coach. Coming off a season in which he was held scoreless, Solignac has already tallied three goals.

“The most important thing is his point of view, because he was a striker,” Solignac said of Spencer. “But at the same time, he’s so positive. He’s always giving good energies, even if you have a bad day.”

Undefeated at home this season, the Rapids next play Saturday at home against rival Real Salt Lake, the second-best team in MLS.

“Players have to make plays,” Mastroeni said. “To this point, players have made plays, and that’s why we’re in a good run of form.”

Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or @danielboniface