…As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I could try to play a year probably in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience. If not, it’s clear that I will finish my career here (at Real).

For those of use born and raised in the US, I think at times we forget what a special place this country is in so many ways. Even for a player who helped lead his team to 6 La Liga titles and three European cups, the chance to live in America and play the sport he loves is appealing.

The bad news: he’s not drawn to the US because of Major League Soccer. Now I know you aren’t supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth (whatever that means), and I would love to have Raul spend a season in the MLS. But the quote I wish he said 3 years ago was

…As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I want to play for the final 5 years of my career in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience, for the passion of MLS fans, and the quality of the league.

What’s the missing piece in drawing stars like Raul for 5 years instead of their final year? I believe it is passion.

Now, the US doesn’t have the almost psychotic passion for any of our sports that some other countries display. During the World cup you hear stories of countries grind to a halt, then experiencing an economic boom if they win. No similar cultural phenomenon exists for the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Championship (and perhaps the sheer number of sports we love has a diluting effect).

I do see that the beautiful game is growing in popularity. However, even among passionate soccer fans that passion is often directed back across the atlantic. One of my favorite MLS players Juan Pablo Angel spoke of enjoying his time “a lot,” but admits

I miss a number of things – the passion of fans in the Argentinian Superclasico and the time I had in the English league, the best championship in the world. When you play those leagues, passion is tiring, but you miss it in the end.

What I believe we need first is not more stars coming west across the atlantic, but more soccer passion staying here at home. And you can bet your ass that is what ColoradoRapidsFan.com is here to do!

View the story about Raul, Retirement, and Rafa at ESPN Soccernet

1. 1.2 million viewers on ESPN2: the most watched World Cup Qualifier ever on that network
2. 5.9 million viewers on Univision: the most watched sporting event in our Spanish-language TV history
3. For ment 18-34 and 18-49, the most watched program of the day in major markets like Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and Dallas; it beat out first-run English-language primetime shows like American Idol and Lost

While I believe the MLS still has to meet the challenge winning over American viewers, clearly US Soccer is alive and well.

For more stats, check out the article at SI.com

In leagues like the EPL there is a contiguous development of talent between the various divisions, similar to baseball here in the US. College soccer is option for the development of talent, but I think a multi-level professional soccer system would be far more effective as the professional and amateur distinction is a barrier. With professional teams you can exchange talent for the purposes of training and development.

Could we even some day see a strong enough professional system to support relegation and an American version of the FA Cup?

Colorado Begin Preparation for 14th Season

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. (Monday, January 26, 2009) – The Colorado Rapids kickoff their preseason training sessions in advance of the 2009 MLS season this week with Wednesday, Jan. 28 marking the first day on the pitch.

The Rapids will train at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park over the next two weeks before traveling to Ft. Lauderdale for a seven-day camp environment in Florida.

Colorado’s opening game will be on March 21 against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center at 8:30 pm MT. The following weekend, on March 28, the Rapids host the Kansas City Wizards at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 7:30 pm MT in the club’s 2009 home opener.

PRACTICE & PLAYER MEDIA AVAILABILITY:

All training sessions during the 2009 preseason and regular season are closed to media. Media will be granted a fifteen (15) minute access period at the end of training.

Rapids’ players and coaches will be made available following each practice and can be made available prior to practices if arranged through the Rapids Media Relations Department. Interviews will be done on the practice field as scheduled.

Colorado Rapids Training Schedule for the Week of January 26, 2009:

Monday, January 26
Team meetings

Tuesday, January 27
Player Physicals

Wednesday, January 28
Rapids Training 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Field #8

Thursday, January 29
Rapids Training 10 am – 11:30 am
Field #8
Rapids Training 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Field #8

Friday, January 30
Rapids Training 10 am – 11:30 am
Field #8
Rapids Training 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Field #8

Saturday, January 31
Rapids Training 10 am – 11:30 am
Field #8

Sunday, March 1 (sic: should be February 1)
Players’ Day Off

On the Rapids official blog, the Undercurrent, it was apparent from the somewhat defensive tone that the Rapids are aware of Bouna’s popularity among fans

Bouna was offered a very attractive offer from the Rapids and MLS that would have placed him among the top 5 paid goalkeepers in the league.

Bouna and his agent have rejected what the Rapids and MLS felt was a VERY generous offer, leaving him out of contract, and free to sign with any club outside of MLS.

The Rapids thanked Bouna for his contribution to the club, and CRF would also like to do the same.

I also applaud the Rapids for making what sounds like a very competitive offer to Bouna, perhaps his response indicates he is ready to try his hands at European Football. We certainly wish him the best.

In the wake of Bouna’s departure the Rapids have added goalkeeper  Matt Pickens. Pickens was formerly with the Chicago Fire, but most recently was attempting to make waves with the Queens Park Rangers. Fellow Brit and Rapids coach Gary Smith told Goal.com after the Superdraft

I would go almost as far to say that we’ve got the deal of the day today

Let’s hope Pickens will be hungry from being on the sidelines, and can come in and make an immediate impact.

The uncertainty at the GK position also sheds light on the Rapids Superdraft selection of Steward Ceus with their 2nd pick. Pickens was born in 1982, so at around 26ish he is certainly well within his prime. However, having an understudy at the GK position that can grow into a leader is ideal.

Well this certainly has been quite the week! And the start of the season is just 2 months away!

The first round contained a whole lot of Terrapins, but the Rapids were on the sidelines having traded their first round pick to obtain Christian Gomez. The University of Maryland tied a 2000 UCLA record with 3 players taken in the first round.

When the Rapids did get going, they focused on a particular style of play, according to coach Gary Smith

“What we have tried to do with all our picks is create a particular style to our game. We got a lot of kids with athleticism, pace and strength. It’s been an enjoyable time and I’m very pleased with my first draft.”

Here are the details on the picks from the Rapids Press Release:

Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe
Position: Forward
D.O.B.: Oct. 24, 1987
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
College: George Mason University
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the second round (28th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Steward Ceus
Position: Goalkeeper
D.O.B.: March 26, 1987
Hometown: West Haverstraw, NY
Height: 6-6
Weight: 205
College: University of Albany
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the third round (37th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Ross Schunk
Position: Forward
D.O.B.: April 28, 1986
Hometown: Portland, OR
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
College: University of Redlands
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the fourth round (47th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Jordan Seabrook
Position: Forward
D.O.B.: June 27, 1987
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Height: 5-10
Weight: 173
College: University of South Florida
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the fourth round (51st overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Henry Kalungi
Position: Defender
D.O.B.: November 25, 1987
Hometown: Kampala, Uganda
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
College: Winthrop
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the fourth round (53rd overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Michael Holody
Position: Defender
D.O.B.: March 30, 1987
Hometown: Clarkston, MI
Height: 6-3
Weight: 199
College: Michigan
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the fourth round (59th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

More details on all the players can be found at the Rapids Blog.

Next year is now upon us, with the season kicking off March 21st at Chivas USA. So what are there essential questions we face? I have felt we lack a quality finisher, who turns chances and half-chances into goals. In a MLSnet.com article “Five big questions about Colorado,” Owen Perkins writes

The Rapids’ need to quickly become more efficient in turning their prolific opportunities into goals scored. They outshot their opponents 397-278 over the course of the season, second only to RSL in shots taken, but they were outscored 45-44, ultimately coming up one goal short of the playoffs.

Read the full article and the 5 questions here.

What are your big questions for the Rapids heading into 2009?