Rapids Nation has spoken. Those who bleed burgundy hereby decree:

• Smith (despite his pooch) is the #1 choice, with over 80% of the vote
• Ballouchy is no longer in the top 5 midfielders
• Only 20% of respondents thing midfield is the right position for Cummings
• Wells Thompson is about as popular as Congress right now

Talkback

Leave your comments below…

• Are you surprised Smith was the strong #1?
• Lopez is working his way into the hearts of fans, will he finally get a start?
• Despite the unpopularity of the position, will Smith still start Cummings at winger?

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Colin Clark, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Wells Thompson

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Colin Clark, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Wells Thompson

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