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

I can still see the Rocky Mountain Cup being carried to the Rapids supporter section with the burgundy and sky blue ribbons attached to its handles. Taking a moment to stare at the Cup while it makes its way down the concourse, the Rapids colors were already waving and I remember the thought that the trophy is finally coming back to the right side of the Rockies. In the 89th minute, my thought of Real Salt Lake coming away with a tie was impossible with the Rapids holding a 2-0 lead on a cold October night. And then shock began.

The final match of the regular MLS season still leaves a sick taste in my mouth. In the 90th minute, Saborio scores on a horrific mistake from Matt Pickens. 2-1. In the 95th minute, stoppage time, RSL gets a gift of a call in the box which leads to Saborio putting his PK in the back of the Rapids net. 2-2. All it takes is a tie in the series and the Rocky Mountain Cup stays with last year’s winner.

After the second RSL goal, I see the Rocky Mountain Cup being walked back over to the traveling Salt Lake fan section. The Rapids colors were being taken off the trophy. That’s how close it was to being ours. Not to mention Nat Borchers’ header in the 93rd minute during the first leg of the competition at Rio Tinto. The Rapids had less than one minute left in the match to give RSL their first home loss of the 2010 season. Instead, the final score was 1-1. Their home-unbeaten streak still stands today.

Tomorrow, the Rocky Mountain Cup starts it trek back to DSG Park. Rio Tinto is still a fortress but the team with the best chance to bring down those walls is our Colorado Rapids, a feat that should have been accomplished last year. If any of last year’s matches are an indication of what’s to come, fans of the MLS will be looking forward to two dates on the season schedule, April 13th and October 14th. Glory, glory Colorado!

Bring me men to match my mountains, Bring me men to match my plains. Men with empires in their purpose And new eras in their brains.

JMH

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rocky Mountain Cup Alvaro Saborio, Matt Pickens, Nat Borchers

It sounded good. With 3 matches in 10 days, concluding with the massive first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup, why not test our vaunted new depth? Gary Smith gave super sub Sanna Nyassi and Open Cup starter Joseph Nane a chance to start in midfield, and the result looked more like the Rapids reserve team than the defending MLS Champs.

[Brian: Think of something positive to say for  final draft], but the night was otherwise one Rapids fans will hope to soon forget. David Ferreira spent about the same amount of time behind our back line as Matt Pickens. Our normally stalwart back 4 was porous as swiss cheese, and the tip of of the Rapids spear was sharp as a marble.

This match shows four devastatingly simple truths

1. The Rapids strength starts in our midfield.
   While Mullan may have lost a step or two, his work rate in midfield is currently irreplaceable. While Nyassi is a creative force, Mullan tracks back and kicks shins. He is a dogged defender in getting the ball back and preventing attacks down the wings. Nane was similarly ineffective (@Craig_de_Aragon called him the potential successor to Mehdi).
2. The strength of our defense is in the bottom of the spine.
   The spine of our defense is our steely, defensive midfield pairing of Larentowicz and Mastroeni, combined with Moor and Wynne at the back. Those four control the flow of the game, not necessarily dominating possession but breaking up enemy attacks. Without that spine, and with the wings exposed, it is remarkable we only gave up 3 goals
3. “We are one injury away from being average”
   @BMer916 tweeted this last night, referring to an injury to a CM or defender. After last night I’m more concerned about our central midfield, but his point is absolutely valid. If we lose any of the four members of the bottom part of the spine for any length of time, we are in trouble.
4. We don’t have “Champions” depth yet
   Here’s what I mean: when you look at the Barcelona’s and Man U’s of the world, they have a cache of 3 or 4 players that can fill multiple roles, and keep the team from losing a step when injuries happen. It also allows them to compete successfully in multiple competitions. Now, I know the payroll and scales are different, but the principles remains. Moor, Wynne, and Cummings can play multiple positions effectively, but they are already desperately needed where they are. Wells Thompson has shown himself a capable and flexible sub, but is not a 90 minute solution at any position. Nyassi and Nane did not inspire confidence they are answers either

However, having laid out the serious concerns, in the words of Third Eye Blind, “why don’t you step back from that ledge my friend.” Here are three encouraging signs

1. The Rapids have 11 or 12 are championship Caliber starters
   Folan has shown himself to be a legitimate alternative to Casey, as he will need to be for the next 2-4 weeks after Casey tweaked his hammie. The rest of the starting XI has looked like a team that can repeat.
2. Smith has a long term view
   Remember this time last year, when every week seemed to be a different squad? Smith is not afraid to try combinations and find what works. El Capitan knows that this is a long season, even longer with multiple competitions. He is committed to developing a deeper squad, and either through player development or acquisition, and Vegas odds are that he will pull it off. He’s shown what he’s capable of.
3. Rapids have 9 points out of 4 games
   Concerns about depth notwithstanding, last night also can be partially chalked up to an emotional letdown against an opponent that had a lot to prove. They were “up” for the game, and we weren’t. Plain and simple. That same letdown performance against Chivas USA may have netted us a draw at best, but we simply didn’t play well.

The players need to have a short memory, and get ready for war against Fake Salt Lake. The staff and management need to have a longer memory, and have some hard discussions about potentially trading depth at striker for depth in midfield.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, Rocky Mountain Cup, US Open Cup David Ferreira, FC Dallas, Gary Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Joseph Nane, Matt Pickens, Pablo Mastroeni, Rocky Mountain Cup, Sanna Nyassi, US Open Cup

Here we are, 10 days away from MLS First Kick 2011. There’s something in the air this year that feels different from past seasons. From the perspective of a Colorado Rapids fan, maybe it’s because for the first time, our boys in burgundy are defending a Championship title. Maybe it’s the thought that for the first time, we’ll get to see CONCACAF action at DSG Park later this summer. (It sure isn’t the Open Cup since we lost another coin flip for hosting matches… Again.) Or maybe it’s just because I see professional soccer gaining traction in Colorado. After all, the Rapids are the latest Champions in the Denver area since the 2000-2001 Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. Note: The Colorado Mammoth won the NLL Championship in 2006.

“Colorado! This is your Championship team!”

Outside of the things we get to look forward to at Dick Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids front office has been working hard to gain more traction in the area. Our supporter groups are steadily growing in size and the Rapids staff works very hard growing those relationships. I expect the supporter terrace to be filled with more fans this year and to give the north end of the stadium an amazing environment to cheer and celebrate. On top of this, being the reigning champions means every team is coming to play us with the mentality, that we’re the team to beat. From a fan’s perspective, the quality of soccer will be raised. It has to be in order to defend the title.

Sure there are still a few gripes with the front office, whether that’s not being able to own the new kits until June, the lack of star power without a DP (we’re down to the last few teams in the league without ever having a DP slot filled) or utilizing the Rapids official website in ways like Seattle and New York have been, like preseason match streaming, but slowly they’re improving. Just like in the case with Don Garber and his vision for MLS, I think he’s doing things the right way, even though there are plenty of little improvements that would help the league. Capping off at 20 teams for awhile, will give the league time to grow and put the focus on teams like the Rapids to ramp up soccer in the area and grow a larger fan base. The MLS 2011 season has much to look forward and with last year’s success, the Rapids have changed the winds of soccer in Colorado.

JMH

Major League Soccer (MLS) Conor Casey, Don Garber, Drew Moor, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

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

Main Conor Casey, Fake Salt Lake, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings, Real Salt Lake, Rocky Mountain Cup

The Rapids took this week’s chapter of “Yeah Omar is that good” to the home of MLS-leading LA Galaxy. The results shouldn’t be more than mildly surprising. The Galaxy have been less than their dominant selves recently, while Colorado is peaking.

Edson Buddle scored 2 times, and both included a great deal of luck. The first opened the scoring 9 minutes in as his shot deflected off Drew Moor and wrong footed Matt Pickens. The second was a own goal deflection off his chest soon after that evened the score.

A classic run by Cummings, and the expected glorious ball across the 6 yard box was finished off by Casey to put the Rapids up 2-1 before half. Mullan nearly made it 3-1 with a fantastic strike off the post. This trend continued after half, and the Rapids and Cummings got a deserved goal.

The only surprise in the second half is that we didn’t get a fourth goal. To be fair, LA put together an excellent push in the last 10 minutes, but the Rapids were up to the task.

Gary Smith deserves major credit for creating and coalescing a squad that is well organized at the back, strong through its defensive midfield, and lethal up top. If he ever considers starting anyone other than Casey and Cummings up top however…throw a rubber chicken at him.

Oh and by the way…I know this guy who had a really long week at work, and was looking forward to the Rapids vs Galaxy at DSGP tonight. Humming Rapids songs as he drove up, he discovered that unfortunately tonight’s game was an away game. Showing up at an empty pitch…who does that, right?! (Cough, cough). Ahem.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Drew Moor, Gary Smith, L.A. Galaxy, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings

D.C. United pulled off a shocker at DSG Park tonight. So did Gary Smith. Before tonight’s home game, D.C. United had not won in Colorado since May 6, 2000. Danny Allsop scored the lone goal in the match in the 46th minute and it proved to be enough for United to come away with 3 points.

The Rapids played their third game in eight days, one of the more strenuous periods in their league schedule all year. Gary Smith’s starting lineup was without Omar Cummings, Jamie Smith, Marvell Wynne and Anthony Wallace. I was shocked to see Omar not in the starting XI. Let’s just put it this way, I love NBA Jam and Omar, well, he’s been “On Fire!” Giving your key players a rest is important for the club down the line. The line though, now includes road matches against FC Dallas and the LA Galaxy and one last home game versus Real Salt Lake. If there was a sure game the Rapids could gain 3 points in the standings it was this one. Why save Omar in a game that should have been the easiest out of the remainder to move up in the standings? Gary’s starting lineup decision ended up getting the team in trouble defensively while the offense seemed to miss a spark.

The Colorado Rapids needed the win. I understand everyone on the team needs to step up and help the team when asked but the coach needs to set a lineup of starters, not subs. Matt Pickens bailed the team out on several occasions. He made a ridiculous, fingertip save to push Pablo Hernandez chip over the crossbar in the first half as well as stone Danny Allsop on a one-on-on breakaway. Brian Mullan played poorly tonight and it was his lazy drop to Drew Moor that started Allsop’s breakaway. Besides Mullan, Danny Earls looked like the Danny Earls of old; a shaky left back.

It was a disappointing match for the fan and a disappointing decision from Gary to not start Omar. The crowd woke up when they saw Omar warming up off the bench and when he finally subbed in for Mac Kandji in the 59th minute; he had one of the biggest cheers at DSG Park this year. Obviously, the fans wanted to see Omar play. The starting lineup can be discussed until the next match (at Dallas, Saturday October 9th). I just hope we’ll still be able to discuss getting to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Here’s to cheering for the Rapids and any team playing against Kansas City and Toronto FC.

Click the link below to watch the match highlights:

Rapids vs D.C. United 10/2/10

JMH

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Brian Mullan, Danny Earls, Gary Smith, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings

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

According to Bmer916, and Kyle McCarthy, the Rapids are finalizing a deal to send Preston Burpo and Cory Gibbs to the New England Revolution in exchange for Jeff Larentowicz (M/D) and Wells Thompson (M).

On first glance this seems to be an excellent trade. Larentowicz shared the midfield with Shalrie Joseph, though he appears to be more of a defensive midfielder (I’m still hoping for a Xavi clone). Thompson is called a “two-footed, wide midfielder” on the Revs website, and might address the need for wingers as I posted earlier.

Gibbs has struggled with injury and keeping his place in the starting XI with the addition of Baudet and Moor. Burpo is a great backup, but with a healthy Matt Pickens and young Steward Ceus in the wings, this is a trade that needs to happen.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Cory Gibbs, Drew Moor, Jeff Larentowicz, Julien Baudet, Matt Pickens, New England Revolution, Preston Burpo, Steward Ceus, Wells Thompson