An email to season ticket holders from the Rapids confirms they have sent goalkeeper Preston Burpo, defender Cory Gibbs, allocation money and their natural third round 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick to New England. In exchange the Rapids acquired the rights to midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and midfielder Wells Thompson in a trade with the New England Revolution, the club announced today.

Great move by our beloved Rapids. Check out the Rapids website for the upcoming press release.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Cory Gibbs, Jeff Larentowicz, New England Revolution, Preston Burpo, Wells Thompson

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

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

The golden scoring touch of Conor Casey and a bit of luck earned the Rapids a valuable point away. Casey showed why he is the  the leading scorer in the MLS, calmly delivering a deadly finish and keeping the defending MLS champs winless this season. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Columbus Crew, Conor Casey, Gary Smith, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Houston Dynamo, Kosuke Kimura, Preston Burpo, Scott Palguta, Ty Harden

For a man the MLS Direct Kick announcers were calling the Galaxy Killer, he sure found a whole lot of “space” in a porous L.A. defense. Just 16 seconds into the game, Casey started his scoring spree off an Omar Cummings cross. He didn’t finish until he had posted a hat trick and earned the Rapids their second win of the season. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Denver, Gary Smith, L.A. Galaxy, Lamar Hunt, Landon Donovan, MLS Direct Kick, Omar Cummings, Preston Burpo, US Open Cup