Looks like Conor Casey's call-up to the US national team for friendlies against Slovakia and Denmark could not have come at a better time. Take a look at this article on www.mlsnet.com for some uncomfortable news on how the team has reacted to the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs again. Probably not all that surprising but quite revealing. Though what it reveals I'm not entirely sure.
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20091109&content_id=7640626&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp.
I plan to be at training later this week so maybe I'll be able to get an update on the mood in the camp. They're all probably sick of kicking a ball around and can't wait for Thanskgiving. Deeper problems than a training field bust-up remain at the club as we have all been discussing in recent weeks.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
State of the Club - On the Abyss and Looking Down
51 responses to Jeff Plush's letter to fans on the Rapids' blog as of 10am November 5. It shows there are some passionate fans out there. Not that I ever had any doubt about that. What I do have doubts over are the very future of this club and here's why.
I have never really understood why sports trophies are given to the owners of clubs when they win championships. In England, it's always the players who lift the trophies. Anyway, that aside, I was watching the Yankees win the World Series last night and, as one of the Steinbrenner family held the trophy, he gave a sincere thanks to the fans because, as he said, there is no club without the fans. Given the response by the fans who care to the MD's letter, the same can be said of the Rapids. Without the true support of the fans who go to every game, there is no Colorado Rapids club. That is why every future action of the club has to be about keeping those hard core fans happy. I know the club has done better this year reaching out to such fans but it has a long way to go to get away from the overreliance on getting families into the stadium. There is a place for families, of course, - mine included, and many families are no doubt season ticket holders, but the club should not be concentrating on getting families for one or two games a year so they can laugh at distracting mascots at crucial moments of a game. It has to focus more on keeping the hardcore fans happy.
And how is it going to do that? I can't pretend to have the answers but I do know two things which have to improve to make the club sustainable. Investment on the field and a better profile for the club within the city of Denver.
Stan Kroenke bought this club in 2003. Without his money, there is no club. There is not enough money coming in from ticket sales to support the club significantly and there is still no club sponsorship. So, we have to largely rely on the owner for any investment in players. In truth, this doesn't work. It's his money and he can spend it how he wants but it is clear he is far more interested in Arsenal than he ever will be in the Rapids. After all, just a couple of days after the Rapids were eliminated from the playoffs, he was busy buying up more Arsenal shares. With Arsenal shares at something like $14,000 each, just think what a few hundred shares here and there could buy for the Rapids. A Designated Player perhaps? You could say the same about trimming a few zeros off Carmelo Anthony's salary as I am sure some of Kroenke's worth goes into that too but it didn't show much sensitivity to the Rapids' plight to be so active on the Arsenal front moments after the elimination from the playoffs. As I say, it is his money and it his club but it is clear where the priorities are.
Money alone will not buy a successful team. Maybe a DP is not the right answer. But it is clear from the terrible decline of the team in the last several weeks of the season that there was no strength in depth once Clark, Smith et al were injured. Gary Smith's frustration at the end of the Salt Lake game spoke volumes. The squad is not that far off from being a serious MLS challenger but it needs one or two exceptional players who will help take it to that level. Without financial investment, be it from a sponsor, or from the owner, it isn't going to happen. I guess the club could receive some significant money by selling one of its more high profile players to Europe, such as Casey or Cummings, but, even replacing one of them with a top level player, wouldn't really add to the squad per se. Gary Smith needs reassurance he can go out and buy some high level guys or, I fear, he may be off to seek greener pastures. What price he may get an offer from Toronto where his friend, Chris Cummins, has just left the managerial position?
The other priority has to be improving the club's profile within the city. Another example of insensitivity to the Rapids' plight was CBS4 news on the Monday night after the Rapids were confirmed as missing the playoffs following New England's victory over Columbus. Vic Lombardi, who claims to be a soccer fan, pontificated over how good the Denver sporting scene is right now with success for the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche. Granted, the Rapids may never be up there with those teams in terms of following but that doesn't really matter. The fact is there is an 18,000 seater stadium called DSG Park which can be full with the right ingredient on the pitch. That means at minimum 18,000 people the local media could cater to. There is an entrenched view on the part of the powers that be at local television companies and the Denver Post that soccer simply doesn't matter. Who are they to say that? They should not be letting their personal preferences dictate which sports are important. Soccer is important to a lot of people and it is nothing short of outrageous that nearly all of them, Lionel Bienvenu excepted, consistently relegate it to nothing. Who are they catering to? Themselves or sports fans? I think we know the answer to that one. The media coverage has to improve despite all these obstacles. And it doesn't have to be an MLS Cup winning team to improve such coverage. Are we only interested in teams if they win? I mean, would coverage of the Broncos have stopped if Josh McDaniels hadn't had such a fairytale start to the season?
This is what I see as the state of the club, which can be summed up with one word - investment, and not just financially. I am trying to be constructive because I want this franchise to succeed. I have had a great and privileged time getting to know the players and coaching staff in the past year or so and their future is very important to me. As I know it is to thousands of Denverites. Investment in this club, both financially and otherwise, is all important to its very future.
I have never really understood why sports trophies are given to the owners of clubs when they win championships. In England, it's always the players who lift the trophies. Anyway, that aside, I was watching the Yankees win the World Series last night and, as one of the Steinbrenner family held the trophy, he gave a sincere thanks to the fans because, as he said, there is no club without the fans. Given the response by the fans who care to the MD's letter, the same can be said of the Rapids. Without the true support of the fans who go to every game, there is no Colorado Rapids club. That is why every future action of the club has to be about keeping those hard core fans happy. I know the club has done better this year reaching out to such fans but it has a long way to go to get away from the overreliance on getting families into the stadium. There is a place for families, of course, - mine included, and many families are no doubt season ticket holders, but the club should not be concentrating on getting families for one or two games a year so they can laugh at distracting mascots at crucial moments of a game. It has to focus more on keeping the hardcore fans happy.
And how is it going to do that? I can't pretend to have the answers but I do know two things which have to improve to make the club sustainable. Investment on the field and a better profile for the club within the city of Denver.
Stan Kroenke bought this club in 2003. Without his money, there is no club. There is not enough money coming in from ticket sales to support the club significantly and there is still no club sponsorship. So, we have to largely rely on the owner for any investment in players. In truth, this doesn't work. It's his money and he can spend it how he wants but it is clear he is far more interested in Arsenal than he ever will be in the Rapids. After all, just a couple of days after the Rapids were eliminated from the playoffs, he was busy buying up more Arsenal shares. With Arsenal shares at something like $14,000 each, just think what a few hundred shares here and there could buy for the Rapids. A Designated Player perhaps? You could say the same about trimming a few zeros off Carmelo Anthony's salary as I am sure some of Kroenke's worth goes into that too but it didn't show much sensitivity to the Rapids' plight to be so active on the Arsenal front moments after the elimination from the playoffs. As I say, it is his money and it his club but it is clear where the priorities are.
Money alone will not buy a successful team. Maybe a DP is not the right answer. But it is clear from the terrible decline of the team in the last several weeks of the season that there was no strength in depth once Clark, Smith et al were injured. Gary Smith's frustration at the end of the Salt Lake game spoke volumes. The squad is not that far off from being a serious MLS challenger but it needs one or two exceptional players who will help take it to that level. Without financial investment, be it from a sponsor, or from the owner, it isn't going to happen. I guess the club could receive some significant money by selling one of its more high profile players to Europe, such as Casey or Cummings, but, even replacing one of them with a top level player, wouldn't really add to the squad per se. Gary Smith needs reassurance he can go out and buy some high level guys or, I fear, he may be off to seek greener pastures. What price he may get an offer from Toronto where his friend, Chris Cummins, has just left the managerial position?
The other priority has to be improving the club's profile within the city. Another example of insensitivity to the Rapids' plight was CBS4 news on the Monday night after the Rapids were confirmed as missing the playoffs following New England's victory over Columbus. Vic Lombardi, who claims to be a soccer fan, pontificated over how good the Denver sporting scene is right now with success for the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche. Granted, the Rapids may never be up there with those teams in terms of following but that doesn't really matter. The fact is there is an 18,000 seater stadium called DSG Park which can be full with the right ingredient on the pitch. That means at minimum 18,000 people the local media could cater to. There is an entrenched view on the part of the powers that be at local television companies and the Denver Post that soccer simply doesn't matter. Who are they to say that? They should not be letting their personal preferences dictate which sports are important. Soccer is important to a lot of people and it is nothing short of outrageous that nearly all of them, Lionel Bienvenu excepted, consistently relegate it to nothing. Who are they catering to? Themselves or sports fans? I think we know the answer to that one. The media coverage has to improve despite all these obstacles. And it doesn't have to be an MLS Cup winning team to improve such coverage. Are we only interested in teams if they win? I mean, would coverage of the Broncos have stopped if Josh McDaniels hadn't had such a fairytale start to the season?
This is what I see as the state of the club, which can be summed up with one word - investment, and not just financially. I am trying to be constructive because I want this franchise to succeed. I have had a great and privileged time getting to know the players and coaching staff in the past year or so and their future is very important to me. As I know it is to thousands of Denverites. Investment in this club, both financially and otherwise, is all important to its very future.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Smith's Quote and Plush's Letter
"We need better players," said Smith. "What was very clear tonight was that some of the guys in that changing room are not good enough."
As of 5pm Tuesday, 27 responses to Jeff Plush's letter to fans on the Rapids' blog. When you address the fan's real needs, you get a response.
The coach's quote and the response to the GM speak volumes. The club desperately needs to address a number of issues, to be dealt with in a separate post, so that a low ebb does not actually become a full-blown crisis. But make no mistake about it, the Rapids' failure to miss the playoffs for the third straight year will need more than a heartfelt letter to the fans.
As of 5pm Tuesday, 27 responses to Jeff Plush's letter to fans on the Rapids' blog. When you address the fan's real needs, you get a response.
The coach's quote and the response to the GM speak volumes. The club desperately needs to address a number of issues, to be dealt with in a separate post, so that a low ebb does not actually become a full-blown crisis. But make no mistake about it, the Rapids' failure to miss the playoffs for the third straight year will need more than a heartfelt letter to the fans.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Rapids Out of Postseason
The Colorado Rapids will not be going to the postseason for the third straight year after New England beat Columbus today. Remarkably, the Rapids were still in with a shout at getting a playoff spot after their 3-0 beating by Real Salt Lake yesterday. Results elsewhere meant that they could still get into the postseason, apparently if Columbus beat New England. That wasn't to be as New England won the final game of the regular season 1-0 with a Jeff Larentowicz goal in the 79th minute. In truth, the Rapids would have been very lucky to have crept in by the back door after only getting four points from their last seven games. Time for some analysis another day.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Lose 3-0 And Still In?
I left the Bulldog early once the third goal went in and came home and ranted about everything that was wrong about the Rapids. The lack of decent media coverage, the fact that true fans often get shunted aside by the powers that be, you now, that kind of thing. But, because of some freaky results elsewhere, it seems to me, bizarrely, that the team is still in possible playoff contention. It boils down to what happens in the Revolution and Columbus game tomorrow. By my calcuations, if the Revolution fail to beat Columbus tomorrow afternoon, the Rapids will qualify in the last wildcard position.
It may be by the backdoor but the team may still have a chance. Seems hard to believe.
It may be by the backdoor but the team may still have a chance. Seems hard to believe.
Over The Hills And Not So Far Away
What is there to say? Destiny in their hands, playoff berth on the line, players playing against their old clubs on both sides, arch rivals, Rocky Mountain Cup. What more do you need? The only thing I am certain of is that CBS4 Denver will not be bothering to cover any of this game but will instead be focusing on Brandon Marshall's inane comments in a bye week. Sorry, bit of frustration there at the completely crap coverage of this great game and great bunch of local professional athletes by one of our esteemed local broadcasting networks. They are not alone, it has to be said.
I'm not going to say much about the game. I know what the line-up will be but I'm not going to say anything out of respect for Gary Smith and the players. Anything he can keep under wraps before this game could be an advantage to the Rapids. And I'm sure Jason Kreis will be checking my blog first thing this morning.
One thing that may work in the team's favor is Smith's experience of English soccer, notably the FA Cup. This game has all the attributes of a great FA Cup tie. Local derby, win and you are in, lose and you are out. I am desperatly trying to manage my expectations, just as I would if it was England playing in a big game. The trouble is, if the Rapids start the game well, those expectations will rise and then only disappointment can come. And it would be a bitter disappointment at that after a much better season than in the past two years.
On the positive side, as up for this game as Salt Lake will be, I don't think they are as formidable a side as Dallas have been the past few weeks. The Rapids were on a bit of a wing and a prayer going into Texas last week. Today, even though Salt Lake still have a sniff at the postseason themselves, I think the Rapids will be happier playing them than Dallas. Just a hunch.
See you down at the British Bulldog. And good luck to all the traveling Rapids' fans. Wonder how many Broncos fans get off their arses and make a road trip every season? Umm. Must give CBS4 a call about that one.
And a prediction, my only one of the season. Rapids win 3-2 with Kosuke Kimura netting the winner in the 85th.
I'm not going to say much about the game. I know what the line-up will be but I'm not going to say anything out of respect for Gary Smith and the players. Anything he can keep under wraps before this game could be an advantage to the Rapids. And I'm sure Jason Kreis will be checking my blog first thing this morning.
One thing that may work in the team's favor is Smith's experience of English soccer, notably the FA Cup. This game has all the attributes of a great FA Cup tie. Local derby, win and you are in, lose and you are out. I am desperatly trying to manage my expectations, just as I would if it was England playing in a big game. The trouble is, if the Rapids start the game well, those expectations will rise and then only disappointment can come. And it would be a bitter disappointment at that after a much better season than in the past two years.
On the positive side, as up for this game as Salt Lake will be, I don't think they are as formidable a side as Dallas have been the past few weeks. The Rapids were on a bit of a wing and a prayer going into Texas last week. Today, even though Salt Lake still have a sniff at the postseason themselves, I think the Rapids will be happier playing them than Dallas. Just a hunch.
See you down at the British Bulldog. And good luck to all the traveling Rapids' fans. Wonder how many Broncos fans get off their arses and make a road trip every season? Umm. Must give CBS4 a call about that one.
And a prediction, my only one of the season. Rapids win 3-2 with Kosuke Kimura netting the winner in the 85th.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Another Date With Destiny Across the Mountains
The only good thing about the weekend shakeout is that the Rapids still hold their playoff destiny in their hands. The problem is, they have been doing that for many weeks now and they still need a win in their final game on the road against arch rivals Salt Lake to achieve it. Gary Smith said a few weeks ago, from memory after the home tie against San Jose, that God forbid it would come down to another end of season climax with Salt Lake. Well, it has, and the Rapids will require a herculean effort, not a little luck and loads of offensive skill to get what they need.
I am in agreement with Gary Smith that this time cannot be faulted for lack of effort. The way they train, the work rate during games. This team works hard, every one of them. The bitter truth is, however, that all the injuries to wide midfielders have exposed a lack of depth on the wing and service to Cummings and Casey has suffered as a result. As much as it pains me, my mind has gone back this weekend to the bitter defeat in Chicago. Yes, the Rapids did win two games immediately after that, at home to Toronto and Houston. But, both those games were won by tight 1-0 margins. And what has happened since then? Defeats and draws only. In the Chicago game, the team looked far more penetrating offensively and I don't see any coincidence in that Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith played that day. When the team is more penetrating, it gives Cummings and Casey more confidence to take the opportunities they will get. When such opportunities are so few and far between, it can add to too much pressure on too few scraps.
The Chicago game also cast a black cloud over the team. As much as they had to put it behind them (and they did with the two victories immediately afterwards), what would they give now to have kept that 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes to go? If they had held onto that lead, they would be in the playoffs now. Ifs and buts, I know, but that was one traumatic defeat and it would be hard for a human being not to think about that when so much is on the line this Saturday.
The one piece of further good news is that nearly all the playoff aspirants are on the road Saturday. Minus Real Salt Lake, of course. RSL could still squeeze in with a victory against the Rapids and results elsewhere, unlikely as it is, going their way. That is the bad news. Dallas looked speedier than the Rapids Saturday and hungry after their amazing run in recent weeks. Real Salt Lake would likely have been an easier prospect than Dallas until the results at the weekend gave them just a glimmer of hope.
Realistically, the team as it is cannot be expected to go past the first round of the playoffs even if they make the postseason. But to make the playoffs is still very important for this team going into next season. After those two victories against Houston and Toronto, it seemed almost a given that the Rapids would get in the playoffs. But four points in six games and an attack weakened by so many injuries have clouded the issue and made October 24 across the Rocky Mountains another date with destiny. Imagine what spector that would be to carry on your shoulders if the team doesn't make it into the playoffs when so few points were needed as long as six weeks ago.
I am in agreement with Gary Smith that this time cannot be faulted for lack of effort. The way they train, the work rate during games. This team works hard, every one of them. The bitter truth is, however, that all the injuries to wide midfielders have exposed a lack of depth on the wing and service to Cummings and Casey has suffered as a result. As much as it pains me, my mind has gone back this weekend to the bitter defeat in Chicago. Yes, the Rapids did win two games immediately after that, at home to Toronto and Houston. But, both those games were won by tight 1-0 margins. And what has happened since then? Defeats and draws only. In the Chicago game, the team looked far more penetrating offensively and I don't see any coincidence in that Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith played that day. When the team is more penetrating, it gives Cummings and Casey more confidence to take the opportunities they will get. When such opportunities are so few and far between, it can add to too much pressure on too few scraps.
The Chicago game also cast a black cloud over the team. As much as they had to put it behind them (and they did with the two victories immediately afterwards), what would they give now to have kept that 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes to go? If they had held onto that lead, they would be in the playoffs now. Ifs and buts, I know, but that was one traumatic defeat and it would be hard for a human being not to think about that when so much is on the line this Saturday.
The one piece of further good news is that nearly all the playoff aspirants are on the road Saturday. Minus Real Salt Lake, of course. RSL could still squeeze in with a victory against the Rapids and results elsewhere, unlikely as it is, going their way. That is the bad news. Dallas looked speedier than the Rapids Saturday and hungry after their amazing run in recent weeks. Real Salt Lake would likely have been an easier prospect than Dallas until the results at the weekend gave them just a glimmer of hope.
Realistically, the team as it is cannot be expected to go past the first round of the playoffs even if they make the postseason. But to make the playoffs is still very important for this team going into next season. After those two victories against Houston and Toronto, it seemed almost a given that the Rapids would get in the playoffs. But four points in six games and an attack weakened by so many injuries have clouded the issue and made October 24 across the Rocky Mountains another date with destiny. Imagine what spector that would be to carry on your shoulders if the team doesn't make it into the playoffs when so few points were needed as long as six weeks ago.
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