tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70868852024-03-07T01:07:32.776-07:00Black Panther : A Soccer BlogNamed after the only goalkeeper to win the European Player of the Year award, Lev "The Black Panther" Yashin, this blog is about soccer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger631125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-10289035955002779822009-10-31T19:20:00.003-06:002009-10-31T19:25:41.849-06:00Saints On The MarchWith Southampton coming from behind at Leyton Orient today for a 2-2 draw, the Saints haven't lost a game in their last 5 in League One. In fact, Alan Pardews squad has only lost once in their last 10. Does Southampton have a chance at making the playoffs despite starting out with a 10 point deficit?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-91655591678238464282009-08-29T10:08:00.003-06:002009-08-29T10:14:21.787-06:00Vieira Coming to the MLS?Could aging French International Patrick Vieira be showing up in the US next summer? So far it doesn't seem to be much more than Vieira making a comment in the press about maybe doing it. The ol' soccer equivalent of "I'd like to get married someday".
http://www.clubcall.com/intl-football/vieira-looking-across-pond-939261.html
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"I still have a year left on my contract and I think it will be my last in Europe at the highest level," he told Orange Sport. "I would like to try an experience in the United States, (former French international) Youri Djorkaeff has convinced me."
</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-47999964692326138322009-04-26T11:44:00.001-06:002009-04-26T12:58:51.351-06:00Rapids - Galaxy TieLast night the Colorado Rapids played, well, a rather poor game against the Los Angeles <font style="stikethrough">Cosmos</font> Galaxy. The Rapids took the lead in the 60th minute though a goal by Colin Clark. Colin had drifted over the right side of the field, got a nice pass from Omar Cummings, and found himself with some time and space in the box to slot the ball past the Galaxy's keeper Rohan Ricketts.
But as the game was winding down the Rapids defense, which had already been saved once by the crossbar, pulled a bit of keystone cops and allowed Landon Donovan to put the ball in the back of the net off a rebound.
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<a href="http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/2009/04/26/clark-donovan-strike-in-1-1-draw/">Colorado Soccer Now</a> (ColoradoSoccerNow.com) has a good look at the game, especially the controversial 74th minute which saw referee Alex Prus first issue a red card and then rescind it. Was it the right call? More details <a href="http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/2009/04/26/clark-donovan-strike-in-1-1-draw/">here</a>.
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<a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-4008-Colorado-Rapids-Examiner~y2009m4d26-Gut-reactions-Rapids-player-ratings-v-the-Galaxy">Examiner.com's Deron White</a> has up player ratings for the game. Was Deron right to give Pablo a 4 but a 5's for the backline?
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For myself, <a href="http://netlowdown.com/blogs/?p=232">Blogs By Dave has the best look at the game</a> in calling out the Rapids for the performance they gave and how the team has changed but it still seems to be the same ol' Rapids.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-26315522598339125352009-04-24T07:05:00.003-06:002009-04-24T07:13:32.069-06:00Southampton's WoesI haven't written much about one of my favorite teams, Southampton. But if you haven't heard things are looking dire for the right now. With 2 games left they're on they need at least a win and tie, and really 2 wins, to have a chance at avoiding relegation to League One (division 3). That in itself is pretty bad.
The bigger, soap opera story has been related to the financial situation. I really need to blog about that some more as it has many twists in turns. In short the Southampton PLC filed for bankruptcy a few weeks ago. Technically since the club itself but it's parent company went into administration the league's rules aren't clear that the club has to be deducted 10 points.
Yesterday the league's body ruled that the Saints are facing a 10 point deduction. Saints are appealing that. Even if the team's play on the field manages to keep them out of the relegation zone it looks very likely this 10 point deduction will stick and they'll be relegated.
Relegation to League One for Southampton may be a matter for the history books only though. When the PLC went into administration, the main clowns that guided them into the mess like Lowe, Wilde and others resigned from their positions. Part of the problem is that they were asking too much money for the club and still haven't found a buyer. Without one it looks all but certain that the club will not exist next year even if somehow they win their appeal and are not relegated. It's very possible that the 08-09 Championship season will be Southampton FC's very last. So remember when you're team is facing relegation that it very well could be worse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-84922499069412859842009-04-17T13:10:00.002-06:002009-04-17T16:58:15.020-06:00Quick Friday UpdateThe Colorado Rapids are on the road again this weekend. They're in Houston looking for their first ever win at Robertson Stadium. The 1pm game, Mountain, will be broadcast on Telefutura. The 2 biggest questions I have for the Rapids at this point are if their defense will show up. They've been giving up far too many opportunities and goals. The other is if someone other than Conor Casey or Omar Cummings will step up for the team and put the ball in the back of the net. It's great to see the two starting strikers scoring goals. But we know in the long run we need more goal production from other players. Will we see that against Houston on Sunday?
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In other news, <a href="http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/">ColoradoSoccerNow.com</a>'s George Tanner has been a part of <a href="http://www.indenvertimes.com/">InDenverTimes.com</a>. InDenverTimes is a project that's risen from the ashes of the old Rocky Mountain News. One of the things they're doing is giving subscribers a chance to interact with the people covering the news. George Tanner did that today with <a href="http://www.indenvertimes.com/insider-channel/">a chat this afternoon</a> giving people the opportunity to ask him questions and give their two-bits. Watch for more events like this in the future.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-50687779698669642252009-03-19T19:38:00.008-06:002009-03-19T21:24:24.949-06:002009 Has Begun!And finally the 2009 MLS season has kicked off. I've been anxious for the season to start. Not only to see Gary Smith show good of a coach he but also to watch some of the commentators back peddle on their predictions about Seattle making the playoffs. It's great to see a team their but this is 1998. Expansion teams in the MLS don't do well in their first year.
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WOW! And it's like the soccer gods knew I typed that and had to show me up. Freddy Montero scores the seasons' first goal Seattle's first ever goal in league play. 12' minutes in and NYRB is down 1-0.
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Updated 1 : </span>
<br /> Brad Evans scores his first for Seattle after getting a handful for the Crew last year.
<br /> Seattle 2
<br /> NYRB 0
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Updated 2 : </span>
<br />27' That reminds me.... I don't get why some pundits previews were so questioning of LA's or FCD's defense when NYRB's got Goldwaite and Petke in the center of their backline.
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Updated 3 : </span>
<br /> First half winding down and Boyens looks to have been subbed due to an injury. Not sure what to make of this. I can see that the new matchtracker on MLSnet looks cool but the sound / animation needs to have the option of being turned off by users.
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Updated 4 : </span>
<br /> Half-time and it's still 2-0 Seattle over NYRB.
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Updated 5 : </span>
<br />75' While I haven't fallen asleep but I haven't seen much going on in the 2nd half. Freddy Montero did have a nice goal to make it 3-0 Seattle.
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Updated 5 : </span>
<br /> Game over. Sounders win their first. But don't get too excited. After all Real Salt Lake won their home opener in their first season yet the season turned into a long, grueling, torturous even for their fans.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-38565108749597822692009-03-18T11:46:00.003-06:002009-03-18T12:53:45.823-06:00Julian Baudet To Rapids?It was <a href="http://www.crewe.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=147825">in the news</a> yesterday that the Colorado Rapids have offered Crewe Alexandria's <a href="http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=28759">Julian Baudet</a> a contract.
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What could this mean for the Rapids? We won't know until he signs and his current contract is over. It's unlikely that Crewe, in a relegation battle in England's League One (Div 3) would let him go before his contract runs out this summer.
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An arrival later in June would give Rapids coach Gary Smith plenty of time to sort things out with his roster to make room. It could be as simple as waiving a player. If Julian Baudet is signed, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Rapids make room for his arrival via a trade. Right now a few MLS teams could use another defender or three on their roster. And a couple teams, like LA and Seattle, have defenses that my grandma could get through easier than a Sawzall cutting through butter.
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Or maybe Corey Gibbs will be leaving the Rapids this summer to head back to Europe?
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As for Baudet, who knows if this is a good move or not. I don't many folks other than Crewe fans, or maybe some old Northampton or Oldham fans, have seen he play. Which is why I don't understand why <a href="http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2009/03/giles-grimandi-part-deux.html">View From The Couch</a> fell for the temptation of evaluating the move. It's unfortunate to see.
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Without the means to directly judge Baudet as a player, <a href="http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2009/03/giles-grimandi-part-deux.html">View From The Couch</a> resorts to using this rationale :
<blockquote>A player that can't get out of League One when most MLS players that go to England end up in either the Premiership or the Championship is an indicator that he's average MLS quality at best.</blockquote>
There are several problems with this logic. The first is that one can gleam anything about Baudet based on his playing in England's 3rd division. This is then compounded by assuming that the few MLS players that have gone to England are representative of an average to good player in the MLS. But these players are the ones that are the exception to the rule. Of the few MLS players that are in England, most either haven't had time to prove themselves (Brad Guzan) are have not panned (Matt Pickens, Eddie Johnson, Duncan Oughton). Essentially this approach to judging Baudet is about meaningful as reading tea leaves (sorry, Jason).
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<a href="http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2009/03/giles-grimandi-part-deux.html">View From The Couch</a> is good blog for tracking the Rapids and gaining insight into events surrounding the team. It's just nice to have another blog to point to and disagree with about the Rapids.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-41523968492061340492009-03-13T16:02:00.001-06:002009-03-13T20:52:16.194-06:00New Colorado Soccer WebsiteRecently the Rocky Mountain News (RMN) closed it's doors. It's sad to see a long time Denver institution gone forever. Out of it's demise we've seen a few new sites rising up such as some ex-RMN folks with <a href="http://www.iwantmyrocky.com/">I Want My Rocky</a>.
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One of the first blogs that covered the Colorado Rapids was hosted by the Rocky Mountain News, FC Rocky. With RMN's demise, we will not be seeing any new posts on FC Rocky. Luckily, FC Rocky's George Tanner has launched a <a href="http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/">Colorado Soccer Now</a> along with Cole McGinnis. They're looking to provide us with some we sorely need here in Colorado, news and commentary about the beautiful game in Colorado. If you haven't checked out the site, head over there <a href="http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/">now</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-79326477344782170292009-03-12T09:08:00.003-06:002009-03-12T09:16:20.534-06:00Rapids New SeasonThe Colorado Rapids 2009 MLS season kicks off soon. On March 21st the season starts against Chivas at the Home Depot Center in Carson City, California. The game starts at 8:30pm mountain time and will be on Fox Soccer Channel (FSC).
The next evening, Sunday March 22, at 6pm Class VI will be holding it's <a href="http://www.nofanalone.com/blog/archives/001206.html">preseason bash</a>. Ok, it's technically not the preseason since the season starts the night before. But don't get hung up on a technicality and head up to The Catina at Dicks Sporting Goods Park to have some fun with old friends and meet some new ones. Everyone, members or not, are welcome to attend. There will be :
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- A silent auction for some incredible Rapids and Rapids related items…some of them signed!
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- Raffles for some truly special prizes and experiences including a once-in-a-lifetime Honorary Captain for a Day experience!
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- A speech by Rapids Head Coach Gary Smith about the State of the TeamUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-84667108780127984372009-01-25T14:20:00.003-07:002009-01-25T14:22:58.889-07:00Tom "Tam" McManus On The MoveIt appears that the Colorado Rapids' Scottish striker Tom "Tam" McManus <a href="http://www.fansfc.com/Kilmarnock/story/5255/29.html">is back in Scotland looking to hook up with a club</a>. He's training with Patrick Thistle and has been linked with Kilmarnock.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-38344937157432012552008-12-14T13:37:00.003-07:002008-12-14T13:41:21.496-07:00Keeping Up With The RapidsIF you haven't see it yet, <a href="http://wewantrapidman.blogspot.com/2008/12/coaching-staff-goodbye-reserves.html">check out We Want Rapidman's chat with Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith</a>. There are questions about Burpo remaining with the team, the yet unfilled jobs of assistant coach and goalkeeper coach, and scouting for new talent that Smith wants to bring into the club. Thanks again Nick!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-84634970519038779542008-12-07T12:00:00.001-07:002008-12-07T12:02:15.326-07:00Saints RSS BrokenI noticed today that not only has Southampton's official web site's RSS been broken for the last 3 weeks, if you actually try viwing it's RSS feeds at it's site (<a href="http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/rss">http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/rss</a>) right now you just see the naked PHP code used to build them. Oi vey! A horrible security risk. Is the club really so low on funds that they can't be bothered to fix this?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-34997566499186741462008-11-26T18:20:00.003-07:002008-11-26T18:46:26.444-07:00Rapids Waive PetkeMajor league Soccer held their waiver draft today. The waiver draft process is as sexy as a pair of Rosanne Bahrs soiled undies. It's understandable tha tthe league's marketers didn't put effort into promoting the event.
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Unfortunately for Rpaids fans Mike Petke was placed on waivers and taken by the New York Red Bulls. The Bohemia, New York native is the Colorado Rpaids all-time leader for games started with 129 in his 4 years with the team.
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Petke looked good later in 2008 once he recovered from last years injury. At age 32 he likely has a couple years left in him. With Gary Smith showing in 2007 that he was happy to start a healthy Petke, it's likely that the Mike Petke wanted this move. It could be that this is a chance for Mike to work his way into the Red Bulls front office.
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We wish Mike and his family the best fo luck with the move.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-87590477871305457112008-11-17T08:38:00.002-07:002008-11-17T08:58:28.989-07:00Did The MLS Damage Walter Zenga's Mind?I found myself wondering if Italian legend Walter Zenga's time in Major League Soccer (MLS) damaged his mind after reading this <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/catania-scores-by-dropping-shorts-down/">article</a>. If you haven't heard, Zenga seems to think that having his players drop their shorts during a free kick is strategy. Zenga has hist players at Catania, where he currently coaches, lowering their shorts to their knees because it blocks the goalkeepers vision.
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To be honest, I don't understand how this act in and of itself is making a difference in terms of blocking the goalkeeper's vision. A free kick situation where the opposing team has a chance to take a crack at goal is usually a mess of bodies with the opposing team forming a wall of players and many others crowded in there. Having a couple players lowering their shorts isn't making it easier for the goalkeeper to see the ball. But it would just be making an already difficult situation a bit more difficult.
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And that doesn't leave out the affect it has on the players lowering their shorts. No, I'm not talking not having a clean pair of undies to wear for the world to see. If a players shorts are at their knees, how can they react to the play on the field? How many times have you seen a free kick taken where the team with the kick has a player that was trying to mess with the wall now desperately trying to get out of the way to let it through? How many times has a free kick hit the wall or been saved by a goalkeeper and had everyone scrambling to get to the ball to have another chance at goal? Well, if you're shorts are around your knees you're going to have a tough time reacting to these things. Has Zenga actually taken this into consideration?
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Of course it does bring up a few issues. This is a game after all that automatically gives a player a yellow card for taking their shirt off to celebrate scoring a goal. Those are pretty strict standards. Surely showing off ones tighty-whities during a game is worse than taking off a shirt to celebrate a goal? Then again, this is a game that has sunk to the low of accepting diving as something professionals should do; that when they get hit they should go down. If that's being embraced by the game, why should anyone get bothered over a bit of short dropping?
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The rules of the game aside, what would ever prompt Walter Zenga to even consider using this?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-61849707268062030732008-11-12T23:04:00.003-07:002008-11-12T23:09:26.972-07:00Smith is OfficialGary Smith is a now officially the head coach for the Colorado Rapids. <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_10959384">Smith was signed to a 3 year deal</a>. The Rapids also announced they re-signed Pablo Mastroeni, coming off arguably his best year ever in the MLS, to a 4 year deal. Mike Petke, Bouna Coundoul and Jose Burciaga Jr. are all out of contract with no announcements having been made on their status.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-48254615687843232442008-11-11T07:05:00.002-07:002008-11-11T07:15:45.213-07:00Rapid Announcing New Coach Today?<a href="http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2008/11/coaching-announcement-1pm-tuesday.html">View From The Couch is reporting that it's rumored that the Rapids will announce their new coach today at 1pm</a>. Money is on it being Gary Smith as the Rapids have <a href="http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3736505">already signed one of Smith's friend Steve Guppy as assistant coach</a>. In fact Sunday while I was at work eating bugs,<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_10937243"> Brian Forbes over at the Denver Post reported</a> that short of an official announcement from the Rapids, everything points to Gary Smith including Guppy on a radio show stating that it'll be Smith.
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What does this mean for Christian Gomez? Bouna Coundoul? Facundo Erpen? These are all players that Smith didn't seem to fully embrace.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-62410496910102664822008-10-18T14:06:00.000-06:002008-10-18T14:07:15.243-06:00Quick Note On The Rapids While I Travel2 games lef tin the season? How time flies. Seems like it wasn't that long ago I was in San Luis, CO with the season having just gotten underway. And by chance I'm there again as things close down. The weird thing is, I feel more hopeful about the last two games that last April when there were 26-27 left.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-60219155715658110892008-09-17T08:33:00.000-06:002008-09-17T08:33:00.436-06:00Deuce Raps<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hp52oY25FW4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hp52oY25FW4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-21171538416375088362008-09-16T06:57:00.000-06:002008-09-16T06:57:00.929-06:00Rapids Beat Chicago<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2861865708_0b9157c051_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2862698164_e9d627b0ab_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> It was nice to see the Rapids pick up their 3 win in 5 games with Gary Smith in charge on Sunday. The only other time the Rapids have gone into half-time with a 2-0 lead this year was the July 4th game against New York Red Bull. That game was also at home at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.
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With better finishing and possession against Chicago, the Rapids could have done more damage to the league's best road team. Their fast start lead to Colorado being more than happy in the 2nd half to sit back and absorb Chicago's pressure. The Fire, with Brian McBride and Cuauhtémoc Blanco, mustered a few decent chances but that was it.
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Most glaringly missing from Chicago's game were free kicks in goal scoring range. This year alone we've seen Chicago pull themselves back into a match they were out of after getting one in a dangerous spot for Blanco to put in the back of the net. On Sunday Pablo Mastroeni own Blanco. Blanco was kept so quiet that the most entertaining moment of the game was watching him in a foot race for the ball with fellow non-speedster Mike Petke.
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Speaking of Blanco, in his short time in the MLS he's earned himself a reputation as a diver. He lacked opportunities to show off that "skill" in the match. But he did show himself to also be skilled in the art of whining. Toward the end of the match he went up for a 50/50 ball against Mastroeni. They both ended up falling to the ground. It was directly in front of referee Terry Vaughn. From the beginning of the match, Vaughn established that he was going to let the boys play. While writhing on the ground holding his back, Chicago got the ball and was attacking in the box. This prompted Mexican team legend Blanco to get up and trot toward the box all the while holding his hand on his back. Last I checked, there isn't a medical doctor in the US that espouses healing back injuries via your team getting the ball. But it seemed to work for Blanco.
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After the match, Blanco proceeded to head over to match officials to show off his side and plead his case. It's a shame that a player with so much talent can't being a man and just take his lumps. It leaves feeling sorry for his mother. If he's whining like this at age, just imagine what a pain in the rear he was as a child.
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With the win, the Rapids still have a good chance of making the play-offs with 6 games remaining in the season (3 at home). But talk about a revival under Gary Smith, <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/rapid-revival/391">like that over at Major League Soccer Talk</a>, are premature. This team still has a way to go in turning around their overall level of play. Sure they've won 3 of their last 5. But note that MLST offers up nothing in tangible evidence of a revival beyond the wins. Nevertheless, the Rapids are on the right path. Could we be seeing Gary Smith at the helm in 2009?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-2712594142064028062008-09-14T02:00:00.003-06:002008-09-14T02:00:00.223-06:00Saints Travel To QPRSouthampton heads north to London to play QPR today. Saints have a single win with 3 loses in their first 4 games. It's not an encouraging start even for Saints fans who don't have high hopes for this season.
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QPR have a few knocks and we should expect a few new faces since their last game, a 1-1 tie with high flying Bristol City. Saints Michael "Killer" Svensson along with Wayne Thomas look like they'll miss the game. So it's going to be a young back line for Southampton with Chelsea loanee Jack Cort is likely to get a start. And that back line will have their hands full with ex-Saint Dexter Blackstock.
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Blackstock isn't the only ex-Saint Southampton is likely to face tomorrow. Fitz Hall is with QPR now after being with Crystal Palace and Wigan before landing at Loftus Road last April. The other ex-Saint is QPR's new manager Ian Dowie. Dowie's career as a center forward involved many teams, with his longest stint with with Southampton where he scored 30 goals in 122 games.
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Can Southampton pull off a win? It doesn't seem likely with this young squad on the road. Especially with how well QPR has been playing to start the season. Southampton's sole win in league play this season was at Exter. A win but would a surprise. A tie is something I expect to see from this team. They need to show they have the sort of fight in them they'll need to avoid relegation during the long Championship season.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-54667397629292789682008-09-13T15:57:00.001-06:002008-09-13T15:57:00.579-06:00Bouna On The Move? Fire In TownNick at We Want Rapid Man <a href="http://wewantrapidman.blogspot.com/2008/09/bouna-to-follow-herc-out-rapids-door.html">takes a look at Bouna's situation</a>. The Denver Post also covers it <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_10441200">here</a>. It looks to be headed down the same path that lead <a href="http://levyashin.blogspot.com/2008/09/herc-to-kc-rapids-beat-super-skirts.html">Herculez Gomez to Kansas City</a>. Will things turn around? Will we see Bouna in nets for the Rapids again? Or could we see him traded to a team looking for a goalkeeper?
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The Colorado Rapids take on the Chicago Fire tomorrow afternoon at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. The Fire are lead by first year coach and ex-Rapids Denis Hamlett. The Fire are 2-7-4 in Colorado. They have not won here since 1999.
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On the other hand, the Fire have hands down the single best defense in the league this year. Thanks to that they've managed 6 wins on the road in 2008. And they have Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Brian McBride.
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While the Rapids beat FC Dallas on the road a week ago last Thursday, they haven't won back to back games this year. The last time the Rapids won games back to back was in October 2007 when they beat Toronto at home and traveled to Los Angeles and snatched a win from Chivas USA. The Rapids are 2-2-0 under interim head coach Gary Smith.
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Just a follow up on Herc's move to Kansas City. The Rapids got a 4th round 2009 SuperDraft pick and a first round (Why can't we just say 5th round?) MLS Supplemental draft pick. They also got some allocation money. How much is undisclosed. It's not a bag of balls but is it enough to make up for Herc's loss?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-86536352772517748852008-09-09T07:04:00.002-06:002008-09-09T07:13:05.001-06:00West Is A Mess : Part 1Nick over at We Want Rapidman has a nice look at the mess the West is right now. For more on it, <a href="http://wewantrapidman.blogspot.com/2008/09/its-all-in-our-own-hands-kind-of.html">click here</a>. I plan on looking at it more. Lately I've been busy with family in town and wine tasting in one of Colorado's two appalachians, Grand Valley (Grand Junction / Palisade / Fruita).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-64093529609411099882008-09-05T06:55:00.002-06:002008-09-05T07:01:23.975-06:00Herc to KC, Rapids Beat Super SkirtsSorry for not getting at least a little bit out on the Rapids. Between the parents being in town, work, and trying to find time to sleep there hasn't been room for other things. It was wonderful to get up this morning and see the Rapids had racked up a win. With how messy the teams in the West are this year, not only are the Rapids not the worst in the league but it's still not overly hopeful for them to take 3rd or 2nd. 1st? Well, that still seems a bit much for a team that still needs to come together.
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More on the win over FC Dallas :
<br /> <a href="http://wewantrapidman.blogspot.com/2008/09/rapids-secure-vital-win-down-texas-way.html">We Want Rapid Man</a>
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More on trading Herc to KC :
<br /> <a href="http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2008/09/from-3-gomez-to-1.html">View From The Couch</a>
<br /> <a href="http://wewantrapidman.blogspot.com/2008/09/where-are-all-good-guys-going.html">We Want Rapid Man</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-44043749583147504872008-08-29T08:43:00.000-06:002008-08-29T08:43:00.719-06:00Blackpool Travels to St. Mary'sBlackpool travels to St. Mary's to take on Southampton. The two clubs barely avoided relegation from the Championship (Div. 2) last year, both finishing with 54 points. Leicester was the 3rd to bottom team, the bottom 3 were relegated, with 52 points.
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Can McGoldrick continue his scoring ways? Will we see Stern John get a start up front with McGoldrick? Chris Perry has scored a goal and McGoldrick two in the 3 games Southampton has played so far. Will another Saint step up and score in their 4th game of the 08/09 season?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7086885.post-62242470616043985832008-08-28T07:49:00.000-06:002008-08-28T07:49:00.762-06:00Gibbs Grateful, Cooke On The Move?There was <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/08/22/rapids.cooke/index.html">a rumor in SI a few days ago</a> about interest in Terry Cooke back in England. The basis of the rumor? David Moyes said some good things about him. Classic English rumor; that is, little if anything behind it but they'll still print it. I love have Terry at the Rapids. But it would seem odd that PNE, Derby and Cardiff were all interested in him because Moyes said something nice. Especially for a player who had a lot of playing time in England in Div 3 (League One).
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<a href="http://www.soccer365.com/mls/story_22808141555.php">Greg Seltzer over at Soccer 365 had an interview with new Rapid Corey Gibbs</a>.
<blockquote>"The feeling was overbearing," Gibbs told Soccer365. "I really didn't get so overjoyed because I am a very neutral person, but I did thank God for all he did for me."</blockquote>
Gibbs has looked good in Colorado's backline in his first two games. Now if Smith can straighten out the rest of the team and get them playing better, Colorado has a chance.
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Getting the team sorted out can't come too soon. The Rapids travel to Salt Lake City for a game Friday night (tomorrow). Why Friday night? Who knows. With the way the 3 Rocky Mountain Cups games were scheduled this year, you have to wonder if the league is trying to kill that rivalry. It's hard enough traveling 600 miles let alone for a Thursday, Friday or Sunday game.
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Speaking of the game, as you can see below the Rapids have a lot of knocks going into the match. Could we see Smith go with a 3-5-2? Or will he stick with the 4-5-1 and slide Erpen over to left back with Kimura on the right? And what is with the Salt Lake fans? <a href="http://keepinitrealsl.blogspot.com/2008/08/rmc-smackdown-wednesday-edition.html">Have things really been so bleak there over the years that a 3 point difference in the standings is enough to make them think they're talking smack</a>? Anyone predicting for Cleatus to get a RC in the 70th to help CO hold on to a 1-0 win?
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Real Salt Lake - Colorado Rapids Injury Report :
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REAL SALT LAKE - OUT: MF Nathan Sturgis (L hamstring strain); DOUBTFUL: MF Dema Kovalenko (L calf strain); QUESTIONABLE: DF Tony Beltran (L adductor tightness), DF Ian Joy (R adductor strain) ...
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COLORADO RAPIDS - OUT: MF Mehdi Ballouchy (concussion); MF Terry Cooke (L hamstring); MF Greg Dalby (R ankle); GK Justin Hughes (L groin); DF Ugo Ihemelu (concussion); MF Pablo Mastroeni (R hamstring); PROBABLE: DF Jordan Harvey (R knee); DF Jose Burciaga Jr. (R hip); MF Jacob Peterson (L hip)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0