Clavijo Resigns

Well, it happened. Fernando Clavijo and the Colorado Rapids have parted ways with 11 games left in the 2008 MLS season.

I didn't think it would with the Rapids front office seemingly content to wait for Clavijo's contract to run out at the end of the year. Likewise Fernando Clavijo didn't seem interested in leaving before his contract was up. But it finally happened with Clavijo officially resigning.

Earlier last week there was some legitimate speculation about Clavijo's departure. The last of it seemed to be over with Fernando Clavijo taking leave from the team due to a family emergency back in Uruguay.

Here at Black Panther, the hope is that Clavijo's resignation is not due to that situation worsening. Unlike the folks at MLS Rumors, I don't see the need to gloat about difficult family matters in Fernando's life. It's one thing to call him out for not being a successful coach in the MLS. It's quite another to take digs at him when a loved one of his is in poor health.

For the time being it appears that Gary Smith, the assistant coach Jeff Plush brought in during last off-season, will be coaching the team. The question is, will they stick with him next year or use the off-season to bring in a new head coach such as Paul Mariner or ex-Rapid John Spencer.

Rapids Predictions & Saints Relegation Fight

I'm not sure why I should be happy with the Saints draw today. With only 3 games left after their trip to The Valley today, they don't have much time to left to secure a spot. A point is better than none. Nevertheless, this is a team that in 2008 has only won thrice in league play. Their inability to put a team away when they've got them on their heals is unnerving. With Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday at home sandwiching a road game to West Brom it won't be a walk in the park. WBA is looking to win it all. And at this point Sheffield United could be going all out on the last day of the season to squeak into the playoffs.

As for the Rapids, they'll be playing the New England Revolution in a few hours. I hope Bouna and the defense step up in this match. Some positives can be taken from the Rapids coming back from 2 goals down on the road to tie things up. But at the end of the day the Rapids let themselves down defensively. For a team that struggled so much to score goals the last couple of years, they can't afford to be sloppy at the back.

Like Nick over at We Want Rapidman, I'm going to refrain from making any predictions other than at least 3 times during the game I will have the urge to pop Paul Mariner in the nose. I don't know why I want to; I just do.

Predictions by others :
The Red Card
"Colorado Rapids @ New England Revolution Prediction: Revolution 2-0."

View From A Couch

Prediction: 2-1 win, New England is hurting, and played in KC in midweek. Short of going to San Jose, Toronto, or FSL, this may be the best chance the Rapids have this season to get 3 points on the road.

My Soapbox (Rogue Cavaliers; yes, yes, I know....)

Rapids at Revolution
Talk about an interesting match up, this one holds more promise for me that any other of the weekend (outside of the RSL vs. DC match). New England have looked very good in two of their 3 matches and horrible in the match against the Fire. The Rapids looked great against the Beckham boys, and played well in a loss at KC. I expect a 2-0 Revolution win, and a 3rd goal of the young season for Sainey Nyassi.

MLS Cup Final (Spolier!)

Well, the Houston Dynamo do it yet again. They didn't really do anything spectacular in this game. They took care of business and kept knocking at the door. Their reward for consistency was winning the game 2-1. Congrats to Houston for winning another title. The questions I'm left with : a) How did Khano Smith not get a red card for head butting Brian Mullan (at least I think it was Mullan; I was at the bar watching the game)? I try to avoid criticizing referees. Too often too much is made out of things they do. But here we are in the MLS Cup final, the title match of the season with what should be the best referee on the field. Head referee Prus was right there to see what happened and yet he only produced a yellow? Since when is a head butt a yellow? I'm all for stretching the rules especially in a title game but I fail to see why that should be done when violent conduct is involved. b) Will Paul Mariner or John Spencer find themselves coaching a new team next year? Just last week on From The Pitch Mariner said that he was ready to take the right head coaching job if it was there. Could New York now make a move for him since moving for the Fire's head coach Osorio doesn't appear to be going anywhere? And what about John Spencer? Yes, rumors are floating around that the Rapids are not about to give Fernando Clavijo the boot despite the team getting worse the last 2 years. Could it be that the Rapids and Dynamo were waiting until after the MLS Cup to make things official? c) Could Garber have asked for any better weather in DC in late November than they had today?