If I had to pick the Rapids starting eleven mid-season it would look like this:

Goalkeeper: Matt Pickens
Defense: RB Kosuke Kimura, CB Tyrone Marshall, CB Drew Moor, LB Marvell Wynne
Midfield: RM Brian Mullan, CM Jeff Larentowicz, CM Pablo Mastroeni, LM Jamie Smith
Forwards: F Conor Casey, F Omar Cummings

I think it would be very much aligned with what Gary Smith envisioned at the start of the 2011 season. We added Caleb Folan in the offseason to add competition to our group of forwards as well as add much needed depth since Mac Kandji tore his ACL on the game winner in the 2010 MLS Cup.

I’m personally a fan of Folan, his work ethic, his hustle and his will to score. You can see his desire for a goal in his play lately and I believe if he could will the ball into the back of the net he could at this point. Our group of forwards is very deep and our strongest position on our roster.

Taking a look at our defense. The obvious hole is left back. Both Wynne and Kimura are natural right backs. When Wynne joined at the beginning of the 2010 season, I assumed he would give Kimura competition at his position and eventually take it over. However, Kimura has out worked his way to one of our most consistent players year over year. He wins Most Improved Player this year and I trust him fully at right back. Tyrone Marshall is the best offseason move we made, coming from the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Process and shores up our central defense, giving Wynne flexibility to play outside or inside depending on the match.

The issue this season is left back. We do have four solid starters for our defense, but not a true left back. Coach Gary Smith rotates our back four as often day turns to night, and while I’m OK with the four starters we have, this doesn’t give our players a consistency of where they will be playing each match. While I do think Anthony Wallace is our left back of the future (hence why we asked for him back after the Portland Timbers acquired him during last year’s MLS Expansion Draft), he’s still not quite a consistent, starting left back. He has shown flashes of excellence, which earned him a call up to our US Men’s National team earlier this year, and with some more time, will be a great player for years to come.

Moving to our midfield. We are a solid defensive team, in part, to our defensive minded central midfielders. Outside of Larentowicz, our starting midfield is aging. Mastroeni is 35, Brian Mullan is 33 and Jamie Smith is 31. It has been obvious this year that our captain has lost a step or two. In my opinion, our biggest flaw this year has been not challenging our central midfield with another capable player. The more I watch Pablo play this year, the more I clearly see where our lack of offense is coming from. As much as I think Larentowicz is about as boring a player to watch as possible, he’s solid as a central defensive midfielder and is very good at his role. However, Pablo is playing that exact same role, not by design, but by his aging years. Gary Smith has a tough decision. Pablo is our captain. He’s retiring soon. But the longer the 2011 season progresses, it’s becoming more clear we need a central attacking midfielder, something Pablo can not fulfill. Larentowicz is the clear choice for CDM which leaves Pablo…? On the bench? Our forwards, a group I’d argue is the best overall group of forwards in the league, need distribution. Our outside midfielders can get the ball in the box, but we struggle up the middle.

In summary, our needs at this point in the season are a starting (true) left back and most importantly, a new, more youthful creative central attacking midfielder. Sure I’d take another outside midfielder but the major need is in the middle of the pitch. This might make Gary Smith change the formation he’s used to running, however it’s a change that needs to take place. With Pablo suspended on yellow cards for our next match at home versus the Vancouver Whitecaps, we’ll get the chance to see a new Rapids lineup and possible formation. Saturday, I’ll get to see a midfield without Pablo and still succeed, or I’ll be wrong and see the importance of our captain in the midfield. I don’t like to be wrong.

I’ll leave you with this:

In 17 games played this year, our Captain has 0 goals and 2 assists. 6 shots and 0 on frame.

JMH

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Gary Smith, Pablo Mastroeni

Whenever I hear a fellow countryman is heading back stateside, I get all excited. As Tommy Boy would say, “Hello there pretty little pet, I love you. And then I stroke it, and I pet it, and I massage it. Hehe I love it, I love my little naughty pet!” Now of course this is a professional kind of excitement but just trying to illustrate how my eager imagination works. As you might have read, United States men’s national team player, Benny Feilhaber, is coming to the MLS. For the last 3 seasons Feilhaber has been playing in the Danish leagues with Aarhus Gymnastikforening (don’t worry, I can’t say it either) as more of an attacking midfielder. After watching the Colorado Rapids last two matches, our depth at center midfield has been uncovered. Pablo Mastroeni isn’t getting any younger (he’s actually the second oldest on the team at 34) and I can’t help believe that we won’t get a few more knocks in our midfield this season.

Feilhaber is more of an attacking midfielder unlike our defensive midfielder, Jeff Larentowicz. I consider Pablo our best option for getting our forwards service from the midfield and since he has not played the last two matches, our dangerous forwards (any combination you choose) have been extremely quiet. Seeing how our team has developed since the offseason, I believe forward is our most talented position and our defense is even tighter as a core than they were last year. With Mastroeni at 34, Brian Mullan at 32 and Jamie Smith at 30, midfield seems like a position we need to starting looking at for the future as well as for our immediate needs.

So here comes Feilhaber, 26, knocking on the MLS door. He’s never played stateside, having gone to Germany in 2005 after his UCLA experience, and now potentially getting picked up by a team very close to home. Chivas USA has the top allocation ranking for returning US national team players and will most likely use their position to claim Feilhaber. They seem to be in the business of trading away USMNT players for draft picks, allocation money and for players closer to the demographic of their fanbase. Going back to my eager imagination, I’d like to see the Rapids make a trade offer for Feilhaber. Use the comment section below to describe your idea of a realistic package we could offer Chivas USA for Benny.

JMH

Major League Soccer (MLS), Player Transaction, Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Benny Feilhaber, Brian Mullan, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni

In a nightmare that keeps repeating itself, a late goal from a questionable call downed the Rapids on a blustery night at Rio Tinto. A soft free kick in the waning seconds led to this:

The free kick itself was an unwelcome, though probably justified intervention on a night where the referees overall let the boys play. The refs rightly flagged the aggressive goal scorer Fabian Espindola two times, one ruling out a goal in the first half. However, it looked like they missed this one.

Nonetheless, Rapids fans would be amiss to focus on this one moment. The Rapids went toe to toe with their rival, at their house, and the two teams effectively neutralized each other for most of the game. The effort from the boys in Burgundy was everything we expected, if it lagged at the very end.

However, the performance again reiterated a problem that emerged last week versus FC Dallas: a creative void. The midfield pairing of Larentowicz and Mastroeni would never be compared to Xavi and Iniesta in their creativity on the ball. However, the arrival of the Ginga Ninja freed Mastroeni to be distinctly more aggressive in the attack than he has been in recent years. Jamie Smith floated on the wing, sending in crosses or cutting inside and supplying balls to Casey / Cummings, or even Kimura pushing up the wing. Without Mastroeni, we simply have not found a creative force in the midfield, and that is our greatest void right now.

The injury bug has hit hard early season, and it’s true the loss of Casey has hurt. However, Folan has shown a capable replacement. He has pace, a remarkable work rate, and gets off great shots both from his boot and in the air. The greatest loss with Folan is the understanding Cummings and Casey have built over the last few years, but I suspect that will come. Also, Jamie Smith and Quincy Amarikwa both had to be subbed, with apparent hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively. On a defensive note, Tyrone Marshall put in a solid 90 minutes. and the back line was able to maintain a high line affectively versus a pit bull RSL attack. Bottom line, the makeshift front line and back line appear to be more than adequate.

It is the midfield that concerns me. I’ve said that I believe the midfield was the linchpin of our success:  Larentowicz / Mastroeni paired with Moor / Wynne did indeed form the steel of our defense, but Larentowicz / Mastroeni also did a solid job providing supply to the wings, to fullbacks pushing forward, and to the spear of our attack up top. We simply did not look dangerous often enough, and RSL looked the more likely team to score. We had chances, but far less than Rapids fans are used to, and far less than we need against a squad as solid as Fake Salt Lake.

If we are to compete to defend our crown, not to mention the other competitions we are in, we will need to address this shortage at midfield. Smith is adequate in midfield, but is missed on the wing. Wells worked his ass of, but also does not have the touch and supply in attack that Jamie brings. Like Wells, Nyassi brings pace as a sub, but neither is a 90 minute solution.

Gary Smith: if Stan is paying attention, we need another creative Central Midfielder. Pronto. Without it we are still a playoff team, but that’s not good enough anymore. We want to be in the conversation for the title until the very end, and that won’t happen without better supply to our attack.

Pablo, get better soon.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Caleb Folan, Fabian Espindola, Gary Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Kosuke Kimura, Pablo Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake, Wells Thompson

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

Main Brian Mullan, MLS SuperDraft, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

As we prepare for tonight’s clash versus FC Dallas, let’s take a visual walk back through our moment of glory thanks to the grippingly talented Ed Clemente of Ed Clemente Photography.

Colorado Rapids – 2010 Eastern Conference Championship from Brian Rants on Vimeo.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Eastern Conference Championship, Kosuke Kimura, Major League Soccer, MLS Cup, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, San Jose Earthquakes

An unlikely hero led the Rapids to the MLS Cup…must be a few millennia of samurai blood coursing through the veins of Kosuke Kimura.

The Rapids had several golden chances, especially in the second half, but the goal that send the Rapids to the MLS Cup Final in Toronto was a fantastic cross that Busch and San Jose just couldn’t handle. As you might expect, the ‘Quakes defense was focused on Cummings, who whiffed and the cross found the side netting in the final minutes of the first half.

It was a bitterly cold day, and the game was generally as tight as Jamie Smith’s hammy (which meant Wells Thompson got the nod). The ‘Quakes seemed stayed very compact, with a high line in the back, and never sending too many men forward. While it kept the Rapids in check, it also limited the creative abilities of Giovanni and Wondolowski, other than the first 15′ of the second half.

It nearly worked for San Jose, as the Rapids managed to squander a number of golden chances in the 2nd half: Casey header wide, Cummings one-v-one with Busch off the post, Mastroeni open shot from top of 18′ box saved by Busch, and more.

In a tight, highly-contested, bitterly cold game at home…you would expect the Rapids to find a way to win, and that’s exactly what they did.

The backline, as always was solid. Wynne and Moor are tighter than a drum. Cummings was a troublemaker. Mullan made consistently dangerous runs. Wells was adequate, but I’m hoping for the return of Smith; his quality on crosses and set pieces was missed. And Kimura…never the most skilled player on the pitch, but his runs down the right created issues for San Jose. Just as importantly, he made several last ditch, perfectly timed defensive runs to save the shutout.

The Rapids now wait for the winner of the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas. Once again we will likely play on a cold night against a warm weather team…and one more gutsy performance for the Rapids could earn us a trophy and a season for the Rapids lore. Go Rapids!

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Kosuke Kimura, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

Will the names of Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, and Conor Casey go down in Rapids and MLS history along the likes of Marcelo Balboa?

Much of that depends on what the Rapids do tonight.

There is no doubt that Casey and Pablo have left their mark on the record books of the Rapids, and that Cummings is starting to receive the attention he deserves.

But like it or not, in American sports your greatness is directly tied to your performance in the playoffs. Today at 2pm the Rapids, and these three gents in particular, have an opportunity to make a deeper impression on Rapids history by moving to the Easter Conference Finals.

Main Conor Casey, Marcelo Balboa, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

The Columbus Crew came to…well, try very hard not to lose. Cummings predictably punished their hesitant approach and sent a low cross into the middle, Casey dummied, and Mastroeni sent it into the roof of the net. It was a well-deserved goal in the 25′, and every indication pointed to the Rapids getting a second.

In the second half, the Rapids lowered their tempo and intensity to the Crew’s. They began walking slowly to throw-ins and corners. We no longer dictated the midfield and pace of play, and slowly shrunk into the equivalent of an NFL prevent defense.

A great save by Pickens and a Crew header that hit the outside of the post kept a 1-0 victory.

I would feel much more comfortable with the Rapids at a 2 goal aggregate lead, and if the Rapids continued the first half intensity it looked almost inevitable. Nonethless we have the goal lead, and are more than capable of going into Columbus and getting a result.

Kandji came on as a late sub, and as John Harkes told me after the game (yes I’m name-dropping), it “was suspect.” Cummings is greatly diminished in lethality out on the wing. If Kandji comes in, it has to be for Casey, if he is tired perhaps. Casey and Kandji up top should not be a first or second choice option.

Stars of the game

• Cummings (especially first half)
• Mastroeni (solid in attack and defense)
• Anthony Wallace (he just keeps making believers)
• Pickens (thanks for not messing around with the ball this week)

Need more from

• Jeff Larentowicz: The Ginga Ninja had bright moments, but seemed to loose control of “his” midfield in the second half
• Gary Smith: keep the intensity up, keep the killer instinct in the playoffs in the second half

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Anthony Wallace, Columbus Crew, Gary Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni