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.

One of the first areas this shows up is the lack of a default starting 11. If you look at the Rapids losses on 3/21 to Chivas USA, 4/19 to Houston, 6/28 to Seattle, 7/4 to Chicago, and 7/18 to DC United, these are the players who started.

1. Matt Pickens
2. Preston Burpo
3. Jordan Harvey
4. Ugo Ihemelu
5. Scott Palguta
6. Cory Gibbs
7. Julien Baudet
8. Kosuke Kimura
9. Nick LaBrocca
10. Mehdi Ballouchy
11. Jacob Peterson
12. Pablo Mastroeni
13. Greg Dalby
14. Colin Clark
15. Conor Casey
16. Pan Noonan
17. Omar Cummings

For the 6/24 and 7/4 losses there was some turnover due to international duties (Casey, Cummings, Clark), however if you look at this list I can’t say who El Capitan is going to pick for our upcoming match against New York. Not only that, but how players are used is also in question. Is Kimura effective enough as an attacking defender to make up for deficiencies in shutting down attackers? How does Noonan fit into our attack, can he mesh soon enough to make an impact this season? Is Baudet a helpful addition to the squad, or are we disrupting our defense by inserting him mid season?

And what is our style? Are we hard nosed and aggressive like Mastroeni? Are we quick on the counter like Clark and Cummings? Are we fluid like Ballouchy? I realize all of these can coexist at some level, but it seems like individual players have their own style, but the Rapids have not developed a style all their own.

If we can identify the starting 11 that perform well together and have the best chance of creating a cohesive style, we might achieve some consistency and get back into the playoff picture.

What are your thoughts?

The Rapids should’ve notched one in the first half, as Jacob Petersen had three solid chances, Casey another. The absence of Cummings and Clark continues to take a bit of the bite out of our attack. Casey is an opportunistic scorer. Our MLS All-Star is a big guy who muscles his way into the action and takes advantage of opportunities that others create, as you’ll see in this highlight reel. He isn’t a one on one kind of guy, he’s a finisher. I look forward to having the “lightning” side of the thunder & lightning up front, as does El Capitan as stated to Nick Thomas

We are a side that are lacking a couple of players that make a big diference for us. The most important thing was to get three points today.

Nonetheless we found a way to get it in the back of the net, and that is what matters. We are keeping ourselves near the top, though Chivas is now 3 points ahead with one less game played. We need to continue to get three points at home, and a point on the road vs DC United Saturday is more than doable.

Also notable: LaBrocca’s hustle and much improved haircut

For more on the match

• Video Highlights
• wewantrapidman

Gary Smith from the Denver Post

“As it was, I thought players showed tremendous character to get something out of the game when nothing looked as though it was going to happen,” coach Gary Smith said.

Colorado got the first chance in the first few minutes on a LaBrocca header that sailed high. This was a hint of things to come, as LaBrocca got another great chance in the 15′, a near post strike, and again near post strike at 20′. While the rest of the Rapids were simply missing the target, LaBrocca lacked creativity on the finish but at least was putting it on target.

Noonan is proving to be a great addition, and played well. He is steady eddy, and his pass to Clark in the 25th was a beauty, Clark just pushing the shot wide. You had the feeling the Rapids were about to score (and really should have), with Clark’s golden chance at 25′, a Cummings header at 29′. The Rapids were generating all the offense, but couldn’t capitalize. Dallas then took over the momentum for a brief spell, and David Ferreira took one of their few chances all game, chipped it over a late charging Pickens and netted the first goal of the game.

Noonan’s header at 39 and LaBrocca’s at 45′ nearly tied it, but the Rapids were painfully struggling to get their shots on target. Before half we had at least 6 very good chances to 1 or 2 for Dallas, but went into half down 1-0.

The second half brought more of the same. Cummings missed another golden chance in the 55′ and at 65′. The finishing touch of Casey was becoming sorely missed. LaBrocca was being forced to do far too much in the attack. He is a solid midfielder, but you don’t want him taking half your shots. Gary Smith made a wise move inserting Harvey in his place. Cooke entered at 71′ for Noonan and delivered several trademark corners.

Ihemelu missed an absolutely wide open header in the 81′ off a Cooke cross, and I had the sinking feeling this one was going to slip away. It was Cummings in the end that saved our a$$es. He slashed in and a pinpoint finish could earn him another goal of the week. He just missed two more headers in the next couple minutes.

A gritty point, the lads should be commended for not giving up until the final whistle. Now a week and a half break, then we welcome the fire. Should be a great turnout (July 4th), let’s be extra loud for the boys in burgundy!

More on the game

• The Denver Post
• Video Highlights

First off, tell us about when and how your passion for the Rapids began.

I’ve been around since the beginning.  In high school, my teammates and I were skipping classes to watch the 1990 World Cup, so our principal finally gave in and put a TV in the cafeteria for us to watch matches.  Then was the very exciting 1994 World Cup of course, which lead to the US to getting a top professional league.  I had never really watched league soccer of any kind.  I was a giddy twenty one year at old Mile High for the opening game and have been a Rapids fan since.

What role do you think supporters clubs play in the growth of a franchise?

Supporters are very important to the growth of the Rapids.  The Rapids have marketed as family entertainment from day one.  They have found a lot of success with it and understandably have stuck with it.
However, Colorado is full of soccer fanatics and a major complaint about the Rapids is how dull the game atmosphere is.

In section 100,  you have the Centennial Firm bringing the atmosphere you’d expect to see at a soccer match, which is to the benefit of everyone.  They raise the excitement level inside the stadium and are the twelfth man making DSG Park hard for other teams to play in.  In section 108, you have Class VI, which is a section carved out of the stadium for people that want to sit and watch the game, but to do it among other supporters that are passionate about the Rapids.

But it’s more than just that.  Because supporters do more then just the inside stadium.  We have a website NoFanAlone.com where we’re interviewing players and bringing club news to fans, which is valuable since the number of places to get Rapids coverage is slim.  We host road trips, which if you’re a fan of the Rapids, will be the highlight of your season.  And before each game, we have one of MLS’ best tailgates, making going to a Rapids game more then just a game, we make it an event.

One thing I’ve heard repeatedly over the last couple years when the Rapids have struggled on the field is, “I thought about skipping this game, but I wanted to see all my Rapids friends.”

You are involved with both Class VI and C-Firm. Class VI has been getting quite the buzz of late, with Rapids reps like Marcus Myrick promoting you in season ticket holder email updates. How have you been able to build such a great base and relationship with the Rapids organization?

It’s been a long road, built on trust, communication, and compromise.

With Class VI, it’s much easier to have the backing of the Rapids front office, because the section is like any section you’d see at an NHL or NFL game.  So as we got more and more season ticket holders (over 100) into the section, they can see that we’re providing something that the Rapids haven’t been able to create.

With the Centennial Firm, the issues have always been two-fold.  Dealing with complaints from other fans and also the concerns from security.  There was a major break through last season when the Managing Director Jeff Plush had a series of face to face meetings with the heads of all the supporters groups along with DSG Park Officials, and Security Officals.

Jeff expressed the concerns of the teams and the supporters did likewise.  But the biggest breakthough came from Patrick Quinn,  (or Quinn to everyone), who drafted a Supporters Code of Conduct and committed to policing the section.

We’ve all gotten to know each other, and they have seen the success we’ve had in many events like the pre-season party where Coach Smith addressed supporters, our tailgates, and our road trips.  They have been extremely receptive this year, especially Director of Marketing Kieran Cain.

How would you define “success” Rapids this year?

Well, it’s been a difficult time for the Rapids on the field since 2002 in my opinion.  So success for the Rapids in 2009 for me doesn’t mean hoisting MLS Cup.  What it means to me is that they make the playoffs, win at home, and provide entertaining soccer.  I think all three are achievable.

As a club, I think success means increasing season ticket sales and getting the team’s finances in the black, which I know they are coming pretty close to.  These two goals however are tied directly to the on field product.

Finally, who is one player who has caught your eye this year, and why?

Last year was a great year for players making break through – Nick LaBrocca, Kosuke Kimara, and Omar Cummings for example.  But this year, I think Jordan Harvey is vastly underated and a major reason this team is winning.

Star left backs in this league are rare.  It doesn’t take a genius to know that if you follow the US Men’s National team.  So while Jordan Harvey doesn’t get the love of say Colin Clark or Conor Casey, he’s proving to be one of the more skilled left back in MLS.  Sing his praises Rapids fans!

Mark, thanks for taking the time. Check out more from Class VI at NoFanAlone.com

On a chilly (and under-attended night) at DSGP, it was a tale of two halves. In the first, the Rapids looked solid on defense, but were unable to muster  a single shot until minutes before half when Nick LaBrocca made a run from the back and hit a long, hard ball on goal. There was a glaring lack of quality balls from the midfielders to the forwards. However, the Rapids’ rusty attack began to roll in the last moments of the first half and kept that steam throughout the rest of the game.

The defense in the second half was not quite so stellar on the defensive side. Gibbs apparently lost the ball in the lights, turning a simple chip pass into a Michael Kraus’ goal over a helpless Pickens. Ihemelu also made a couple questionable choices, and to my eye Kimura continues to be the weak link at the back. Nonetheless, Pickens made some excellent first half saves to keep the game even, and I think the Gibbs/Ihemelu combination has great potential.

Gary Smith was typically blunt Englishman in evaluating his team’s performance. From the Denver Post

Smith minced few words when describing his team — a squad he said is not stout in defense, not flashy and not clinical up front. For the time being, at least, is the hope.

“I’m just disappointed,” said Smith, who earned his first victory as interim coach last season against the Wizards. “Even though we won the game, there were too many times we looked like we could give the game away. We have to be better than that.”

Moving into next weekend’s game vs the Galaxy, a couple thoughts:

• If Cooke is unable to play the full 90, I would rather see him play the first 60 rather than the last 30. Jacob Peterson made some excellent attacking moves, but the Cooke’s outlet passes are the best on the team
• I wasn’t a big Kimura fan going into the season, and through two games my opinion is unchanged. He has pace, but is good for a couple dangerously poor clearances a game. I wonder if Smith will consider a change.
• The thunder and lighting combination of Casey and Cummings up front is a delight to watch, and will hopefully produce a harvest of goals this year. Cummings ice-cold finish was delightful

What are your thoughts on the Rapids performance? Leave a comment below on what did and didn’t like about our performance on the pitch Saturday.

For me, Clark and LaBrocca were the key signings of the bunch. I have to agree with Mark on the Undercurrent blog comments, Kimura has been underwhelming. Hopefully this year he can step up his play.

Here is Gary Smith’s take on the signings:

“I am overwhelmed that these players have committed their futures to the club,” said Rapids’ head coach Gary Smith.

“They are all talented players that we felt we needed to make a commitment to from our side as well. I am pleased that they all see that their futures are bright here and I don’t see any reason why the potential that each one of them still has within themselves can not be fulfilled here.”

Read the full story here