“Well once we get our strikers back…”

“Well once we get Mullan / Wynne back…”

I’ve been waiting for a variety of situations to resolve themselves, and then for the Rapids to make their charge. Last summer we had doldrums too. Then Smith found the magic XII, we hit a hot streak, and next thing you know a trophy was at DSGP.

We have Wynne back. We have Mullan back. We have Cummings and Casey back. We still look like a team destined to draw every match.

We have scored 20 goals and given up 22 goals, both middle of the pack totals, for a deflating -2 goal differential. This isn’t rocket science: we are in 5th place in the Western Conference and the teams above us have:

1. LA Galaxy: GD +10
2. FC Dallas: GD +9
3. Seattle Sounders FC: GD +7
4. Real Salt Lake: GD +9

In 2010, our goal differential of +12 was decidedly in the upper half of all of MLS. We scored 1.5 goals a game, and gave up 1 goal a game. Compared to last year, we simply need to score more goals. We have our strikers back, and I believe we will see the Casey & Cummings duo start to pick up the pace. However it is the midfield that concerns me. Pablo is a hero and a legend, but isn’t getting any faster. Paired with the uber defensive minded Larentowicz, there is almost no attack coming down the middle of the field. Without a change in the midfield, I think we’ll make a playoff run, but not a title defense. Without some new creativity in the midfield, I worry we’re just not good enough.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Brian Mullan, Conor Casey, FC Dallas, L.A. Galaxy, Marvell Wynne, Omar Cummings, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders

It was a night and day difference since their last home match. A good 30 degrees warmer at DSG Park tonight since facing the Chicago Fire back on April 30th. In terms of the quality of soccer, it remained stagnant. You’d have to go back to April 3 versus DC United to find the last time we won at home. Yes, it’s true the Colorado Rapids are undefeated in their last 5, which sounds better than it looks. A team built around defense, the Rapids could not get anything going in the final third of the pitch. They managed to only put two shots on frame and never really challenged Toronto FC’s goalie and captain, Stefan Frei.

On paper it appeared the Rapids started with five defenders, however Kosuke Kimura got the start as a right midfielder playing in front of Marvell Wynne. Kimura’s quality has improved this season including his decisions making skills and he brings a defense first mentality to the team. He’s arguably the most fit player on the team, which allows coach Gary Smith to use him for a full 90+ minutes as a right midfielder. However, Kimura has defense on the brain and doesn’t quite have the skill to go one-on-one at opposing defenders. You can’t find fault in his work ethic, only the lack of offensive prowess.

In the end, Matt Pickens walks away with the Man of the Match award, having to come up with a couple big saves (with some help from the crossbar). The Rapids have another solid defensive team this year and only appear to be susceptible to goals from counter attacks. Even with a pile of injuries to our forwards, the Rapids are still getting points in large part to our stingy defense, the framework for our championship team last year. The match tonight might not have helped with the recent lull feeling but getting the chance to see our boys play at home has helped raise the spirits. The beauty with a team like the Rapids is that as long as we don’t lose matches, we should be playing in the post season for the MLS Cup and we all know how that story turned out last year.

We aren’t losing, but we aren’t particularly fun to watch right now either. Keep getting the points now and we’ll have a chance to defend the cup at the end of the season. A tough midweek game at New York versus the Red Bulls takes place Wednesday, May 25th at 6:00 PM MST followed by a home match Saturday versus last place Sporting Kansas City. See you then!

JMH

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Kosuke Kimura, Marvell Wynne, Matt Pickens, Stefan Frei

The Rapids are into the Eastern Conference Final, and will have the advantage of home turf at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. In a win that typifies the Rapids gutsy season, the Rapids secured the tie on aggregate goals and then finished off the Crew on penalty kicks.

The Crew completely dominated the opening stretch and got a much deserved goal by Gaven in the 22′ off a Schelotto pass (more on that later).

The Rapids were fortunate to only be down 1-0, with a shot off the post (4′), another just past the far post (6′), Robbie Roger…you guessed it…just wide of the post (7′), a great save by Pickens (19′), and a diving clearance off the line by Wynne as the ball was headed into the open net (21′).

From then on the balance of the control was held by the Rapids, with two good chances within 6 minutes after the goal: a Casey header, and a Larentowicz rocket off the post from a set piece.

The Rapids continued to press and create chances in the second half, but that didn’t stop Robbie Rogers from nicking a goal against the run of play in the 70′. From then on the Rapids threw everything they had at the Crew, and got their goal in the 84′. It was a classic move down the right by Cummings, a perfect little pass into the 6 yard box, and a little poke from Casey brought Colorado level at 2-2 aggregate (2-1 in this game).

The Crew looked absolutely gassed, but the Rapids couldn’t put one through in overtime. That sent the game to penalty kicks, and my blood pressure up a few notches. Against Andy Gruenebaum, the Crew keeper making only his 2nd start of the season, you had to feel we had the advantage. Casey, Kandji, Larentowicz, Lopez, and Baudet all buried their PK’s. In the end it wasn’t the Crew’s keeper, but defender Brian Carroll who kicked it into Pennsylvania.

Schelotto caused all sorts of problems for the Rapids, as he does for so many teams. As we head into the match versus Columbus, we won’t face a playmaker of his quality, but we will be facing Wondolowski who is absolutely on fire. The Rapids will need to stay solid across the back, which I fully expect they will.

Teams are on to Cummings brilliance. Though no team in the league can contain him for 90′, it emphasizes the importance of Smith and Mastroeni creating through the middle of the field. Mullan was solid, though its unlikely he’ll play the full 90. He was substituted today for Kandji, but I’d rather see Wells Thompson. Kandji still does not seem to have the confidence he needs as a striker to make decisive moves, though his size does give opponents pause.

Coach Smith has starting XI set, they are playing as a unit, and this club peaking at the right time. Rapids fans cannot help but be excited to take on San Jose at home, this Saturday at 7:30pm. Go Rapids!

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Andy Gruenebaum, Columbus Crew, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Marvell Wynne, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings, Robbie Rogers

First time I saw Anthony Wallace at DSGP, I had my doubts. He seemed unable to shut down opposing wingers, and his crosses were rarely on target. Just goes to show you can’t trust first impressions.

As Anthony has adjusted to the Rapids system, and gained regular time on the pitch, he has become that unicorn of US soccer: a quality left back.

He has the pace to both push up on attack and track back, and his touch on the ball has increased considerably. When he is pushing down the left hand side it allows midfielders like Smith and forwards like Kandji to tuck inside and make runs.

The left and right back positions have seen considerable turnover throughout the year; Kimura, Wynne, Earls, and more have made appearances.

Earls certainly has the effort, but Wallace brings more pace and class. If he continues to put forth full effort, he deserves the nod…every match.

Backtalk

• Do you agree that Wallace is our best left back option?
• What is still his greatest weakness?
• Greatest strength?

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Anthony Wallace, Danny Earls, Kosuke Kimura, Marvell Wynne

Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thingover and over again and expecting different results.”

The last two winless months have confirmed: we need to create more chances through a different formation and different midfield personnel.

I’m working with a few obvious assumptions

• We aren’t giving up too many goals. The Rapids defense led by Matt Pickens and Marvell Wynne have a 1 goal allowed average, putting us fifth in MLS, down from 2009′s average of 1.24
• We aren’t scoring enough goals. We have a 1.125 goals scored average through 16 games, 11th in the MLS, and way down from last year’s 1.4

The insanity for me is that we continue to field a defensive minded midfield with the likes of Larentowicz, Mastroeni, and Ballouchy. Well…Jeff and Pablo intend to be defensive; Mehdi is forced to be defensive when his errant passes turn the ball over.

Coach Smith has begun to see what we all see, that Jamie Smith needs to be starting every game. What he doesn’t seem to see is that Ballouchy simply isn’t effective, while Lopez makes an immediate impact every time he comes in the game.

It seems simple: reverse the typical substitutions. Start Lopez, let his pinpoint passes and creative distribution START the game, then bring in Ballouchy for a different flavor in the 60th minute.

One thing is clear: if the Rapids want to make the playoffs, we need to end this insanity.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Marvell Wynne, Matt Pickens, Mehdi, Pablo Mastroeni

In a moment that encapsulates the annual Rapids summer slide, Conor Casey found himself mano a mano (89′) with bleach blonde Jimmy Nielsen of the Wizards (see photos above). Rather than exchanging hairstyle tips, Casey did what any good striker should and (as deftly as the big man can) went around the left of the goalkeeper to face a yawning net. Time stood still. The stands rose to their feet. Helpless Wizards defenders looked on from 10 yards away. A chance to secure a comeback win versus an inferior opponent…(cue the music) “wah, wah, wah.” When a left-footed touch pass would’ve dribbled in, Casey chose power and drilled it off the post.

“If you’re not appalled, you’re not paying attention” goes the bumpersticker. As a Rapids fan, if you weren’t appalled by the first 60 minutes, you weren’t paying attention. Against an inferior regional rival, we were tepid and stagnant. The recently creative Ballouchy was back to his old self, alternating between looking lost and sending passes 10-20 degrees off target. Mastroeni was pedestrian. He was neither the sheriff of the midfield (a la the Dutch Van Bommel), nor a creative force up the middle causing the defense to release off Casey/Cummings and close him down.

Clark was 20% fire, 80% ice. The slashing Clark of ’09 made occasional and encouraging appearances, but the chilly and tentative Clark of 2010. It’s heartbreaking to see such a talent over thinking every touch of the ball, rather than letting his skill and talent lead him. It’s painfully obvious he’s afraid to take defenders on one on one. Nonetheless, he showed signs of his old brilliance as the game went on, especially as Lopez began to become the creative force and Clark could just react.

A strange thing happened in the 62′. An old hand named Claudio Lopez came in, the Rapids went back to a 4-4-2, and became as dangerous as a De Jong kung fu kick. Nearly every Lopez touch was perfect, and nearly every touch was FORWARD. With Jamie Smith the solid holding midfielder he is, Lopez was free to roam the pitch and paint beautifully. His was the pass that put Casey on goal. To be fair to Casey, had Lopez been in the game longer than 30′, Casey would’ve had another chance and would’ve made it count.

Bummer:

• A Mehdi Ballouchy led midfield that strands Casey up top and wastes Cummings speed
• Smith can’t seem to decide who he wants at left back

Bonus:

• A Claudio Lopez led midfield (4-4-2) that allows Larentowicz and Smith to hold midfield and pushes “Thunder & Lighting” (Casey/Cummings) towards goal
• Smith looks like he pairs well with Lopez in midfield
• Pickens and Wynne are absolutely at the top of their game

Bottom Line:

• We need to start our next game with the personnel and formation we ended this one. Period. The Larentowicz/Mastroeni combo with Cummings and Clark as wingers doesn’t work.
• Did I mention we need to score more goals?

Main Claudio Lopez, Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Jeff Larentowicz, Kansas City Wizards, Marvell Wynne, Omar Cummings

A tie at home on opening day isn’t the worst possible result, nonetheless it left me a bit unsatisfied.

First Half

The Rapids looked enterprising in the first half, and managed to go ahead 2-1 on two goals by Thunder (Casey on a PK) & Lighting (Cummings on a delicious strike). Mr. Vaughn gave the visiting Fire an equalizer in the 2nd half after Patrick Nyarko went down on a Marvell Wynne challenge. It looked soft live, and still looks soft on replay. Take a look below and tell me what you think.

Cummings opens the scoring

John Collins equalizes

Casey makes it 2-1

Second Half

Crappy-ass call gives McBride and the Fire the equalizer

Maybe…maaaaybe their feet got tangle, but totally incidental. I think he may have just dove.

Takeaways

Smith is still experimenting with the backline. Our attack is solid and looked enterprising for all but 20′ in the middle of the 2nd half (when Ballouchy went out I’m surprised to say). But along the back there was a good bit of space for Collins and others to make mischief.

I’m voting for Baudet and Moor in the middle, with Wynne and Earls on the outside of the defense. Then again, this isn’t a democracy and my vote doesn’t count.

Rapids News and Analysis Brian McBride, Chicago Fire, Conor Casey, Gary Smith, Marvell Wynne, Omar Cummings

“Out of position tonight I think he’s produced one of the best debut performances that I’ve seen for sure, certainly as a defender.”

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Gary Smith, Marvell Wynne

Continuing his scorched earth policy in Toronto, Preki has sent yet another talented player packing. This time, the Rapids are on the receiving end. In Wynne we get a player with international caps and incredible pace.

The downside: we sent the man with the most minutes and matches since 2008, Nick LaBrocca along with our third round 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick. There’s no doubt Nick was a great guy and well liked among the fans, however I like this trade on several levels

• There’s little doubt newly-acquired Larentowicz is the better midfielder. While Nick was dependable, he lacked the size and tenacity to be a holding/defensive midfielder. He lacked the technical ability to be a creative presence in the attack
• Wynne brings a Dani Alves (for Barcelona) or Philip Lamm (for Germany) attack from the back along the wings. When we lost our wingers last year, we had no pace or creativity up the edge of the pitch, and Wynne brings that

Welcome to the team Marvell!

Nick, thanks for all you did for the club these last couple of years. I wish you the best.

Here’s the full press release

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Thursday, March 25, 2010) – The Colorado Rapids have acquired defender Marvell Wynne in a trade with Toronto FC, the club announced today.

In exchange, Colorado send midfielder Nick LaBrocca and their third round 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick to Toronto.

Wynne joins the Rapids adding his lightning pace to the club’s backline. Over the last two seasons, he has developed into more of an offensive threat scoring his first professional goals in 2008 and registering a career high five assists with TFC last season. Wynne has three caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team and was a member of the Men’s Olympic Team that competed in Beijing in 2008. The former first overall selection in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by New York has played in 96 career MLS games, 90 as a starter, and recorded two goals and 13 assists.

Wynne will join the team in Los Angeles ahead of their 2010 season opener against Chivas USA tomorrow, Friday, March 26 at 8:30 pm MT.

LaBrocca leaves Colorado having played in more games and in more minutes than any other Rapids player since 2008. He appeared in 61 games with 57 starts and scored four goals for Colorado after originally being drafted by the Rapids with the 35th overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.

This is the third trade Colorado and Toronto have completed in the last three months. On January 21, the Rapids acquired allocation money from Toronto in exchange for midfielder Jacob Peterson and on February 10 the Rapids acquired TFC’s third round 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick in exchange for defender Ty Harden.

Transaction
MLS
Colorado Rapids – Acquired defender Marvell Wynne from Toronto FC in exchange for midfielder Nick LaBrocca and Colorado’s third round 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Dani Alves, Jeff Larentowicz, Marvell Wynne, Nick LaBrocca, Philipp Lamm, Preki, Toronto FC