To the puzzlement of this Rapids fans, and apparently to some Toronto FC fans, the Rapids have traded Jacob Peterson. From the Rapids PR, Colorado received “allocation money in exchange for midfielder Jacob Peterson. Per club and league policies, financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.”

From a great writer to the north, The 24th Minute:

This is a bit of a head scratcher. Peterson is a wing player, which we all know Toronto needs, but he’s a wing player that blew his knee out in the final month of the 2009 season. In Colorado it was expected that he might not be ready to play until August.

For me this is a head scratcher as well. As I discuss in relation to my interview with Gary Smith, the loss of Peterson as our final healthy winger had profound implications on our tactics. After losing Clark and Peterson, we were de-clawed. If I’m not mistaken, we didn’t score a non-PK goal after September 12th, or at least we scored very few. How can trading away one of our wingers do anything but hurt an already susceptible role.

HOWEVER. El Capitan Gary Smith is undoubtedly aware of this, and in his interview discussed the affect of losing wingers. I can only assume this money will go towards acquiring another winger, of an ever greater quality. My hope is we will also pick up a solid backup, a true winger perhaps later in their career. Training Kimura on the job, late in the season, to be a winger was not effective.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Gary Smith, Jacob Peterson, Kosuke Kimura, Toronto FC

After Wednesday’s draw with San Jose, Gary Smith talks in this audio clip about the change of tactics with the loss of Peterson (which was assumed but not confirmed at the time. 2 min 5 sec

Interview with Colorado Rapids Coach Gary Smith

(First question by me, second by Nick Thomas of WeWantRapidMan)

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Gary Smith, Jacob Peterson, San Jose Earthquakes

A big “thanks” to Conor Casey’s parents for neglecting to have his wisdom teeth removed as a child. His surgery prevented him from practicing with the USMNT (who won nonethless), and it was his header in the 52′ that secured the Rapids an absolutely crucial 3 points. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Chivas USA, Conor Casey, DC United, Dwayne DeRosario, Jacob Peterson, L.A. Galaxy, MLS All Star Game, New England Revolution, Omar Cummings

The votes are in and the fans say yes! Cummings and Peterson can compensate, will we still make the playoffs.

Rapids News and Analysis Colin Clark, Jacob Peterson, Omar Cummings

If the real July 4th was an abject failure, July 4th “take 2″ was a stunning success tonight at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids completely dominated every aspect of the game and came away with a much needed 4-0 win. The Rapids organization capped off the night with a remarkable fireworks display, redeeming the 4th for loyal fans and returning visitors alike. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Bouna Coundoul, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Fecundo Diz, Jacob Peterson, Juan Pablo Angel, Julien Baudet, Mehdi Ballouchy, MLSnet.com, New York Red Bulls, Omar Cummings

In evaluating the Rapids form at this point in the season, I think of the US Men’s National Team. There was a carousel of players in and out, different formations, different styles of play, and inconsistent results. Once Bob Bradley arrived at a final 11 and somewhat of an identity, the results at the Confederations Cup were staggering. I believe the Rapids have yet to find that identity.

One of the first areas this shows up is the lack of a default starting 11. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Bob Bradley, Chivas USA, Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Cory Gibbs, DC United, Jacob Peterson, Jordan Harvey, Julien Baudet, Kosuke Kimura, Matt Pickens, Mehdi Ballouchy, Nick LaBrocca, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Preston Burpo, Scott Palguta, Ugo Ihemelu, US Men's National Team

Kosuke’s second goal of the season was enough to secure a victory at home for the Rapids over a struggling FC Dallas team. While Kimura lacks the size of a Palguta or the ability to impose like Ihemelu, he has shown now on two occasions that he can utilize his speed from the back to find holes in the defense. Kudos also to Ballouchy, whose pass showed tremendous vision. Though at times he struggles with imprecise passing, he is developing his ability to see the field and find the attacking player. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis DC United, FC Dallas, Jacob Peterson, Kosuke Kimura, Mehdi Ballouchy, MLSnet.com, Nick LaBrocca, Nick Thomas, Ugo Ihemelu, wewantrapidman