Xavi (pre-cloning)
In the 90’s human cloning was extremely controversial. I think fans of the Colorado Rapids and/or the US Men’s National Team could agree an exception should be made.
Watching Xavi play this weekend versus Real Madrid, he was the spoke around which the Catalan wheel rotated. Even when they went a man down he directed the flow of play.
The Rapids have a powerful striking duo up top with Casey and Cummings. We have a less potent but still fairly dependable back line with the likes of Moor and Baudet.
What Colorado really lacks is a a creative presence like Xavi, a turret in the middle of the field firing balls forward.
With the US Men’s National Team the need for a Xavi-clone is one of possession. We lack a strong presence in the middle of the field that can absorb passes from the back, choose passes without cheaply giving up possession, do it repeatedly throughout all 90 minutes. Instead, at times, we sprint around like a track team defenders like Gooch fire optimistic balls downfield and hope one of our front men can get onto it.
These are not newly diagnosed issues. Surely the only option is to clone Xavi and get him ready for 2010.
Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team
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Terry Cooke stepped onto the pitch in the 65th minute and bent a free kick in the net, a curling ball reminiscent of a more famous Englishman. After a massive mistake by Cory Gibbs led to a Wizards equalizer, Cooke sent a gorgeous outlet pass to Colin Clarke who hit a streaking Omar Cummings for the winning goal. Read more…
Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis
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The Colorado Rapids have sent former MLS MVP Christian Gomez back to DC United in exchange for veteran midfielder Ivan Guerrero. We also received a Designated Player roster spot and D.C. United’s second round 2010 SuperDraft Pick.
Gomez was one of my favorite players in 2007 Read more…
Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis
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Colorado Rapids defender Cory Gibbs has been called to the US National Team’s training camp by coach Bob Bradley, as reported on the official Rapids website. Cory missed out on the 2006 World Cup with a knee injury, and will hopefully stay healthy on the road to the South African World Cup.
Gibbs will be the only Rapids player in the training camp, and we wish him well!
International Soccer, Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team
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