Sunday, April 13, 2008
Rapids Players Missing In Action?
One of the more surprising things about the Colorado Rapids fielding an unchanged line-up for Saturday's game against New England was the apparent absence of some of the more high profile players even from the bench. Unless I failed to see these players on the bench or the Rapids website is missing them on the team sheet, Pablo Mastroeni and Jovan Kirovski were not even substitutes. These are two of the top three paid players at the club along with Christian Gomez. Both players were deemed fit before the game. Mastroeni was expected to start in place of goalscorer LaBrocca. I don't really want to conclude anything (and maybe I just missed them on the TV screen) but it all seems a bit strange, particularly Pablo as he was listed to start. If you add in Bellouchy, who also apparently didn't make the trip, it does add up to a significant portion of the overall salary figure. I'll try and keep you posted on what's going on. Please forgive me if I have simply overlooked things or am misinformed about their absence.
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8 comments:
We've sucked for the last few years with those guys. We surprisingly don't suck so far this year. My hunch is that FC has stumbled on to something and doesn't want to screw it up.
However, I think the huge wage disparity between players in the league means it is shocking when a team isn't playing their highest paid guys, for the Rapids maybe it is time for those guys to move on. I can't believe I am saying this, but maybe the system is working in Colorado.
-Ben!
Nick, you're possibly onto something. Could it be that Pablo is soon leaving Colorado? MLS listed the unused subs: "Substitutes Not Used: Rafael Gomes, Jordan Harvey, Jacob Peterson, C Sharpe"
Assuming Pablo doesn't have a new injury, you'd expect to see him there. Time will tell.
Thanks forthe comments guys. Please do check back. I will be talking to Clavijo this week and will try and find out some more. Nick.
For what it's worth, goal.com is reporting Pablo has an abdominal injury.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=658875
FYI --> "Ballouchy"
What's the status with Christian Gomez's knee?
By the way, hopefully leaving Jovan at home is a pattern to be followed henceforth.
But I think FC is going to need to show a little time to Pablo and Ballouchy if only to enhance their trade values.
Thanks for the updates guys. I'll try and get more on this/injury updates etc. but probably not till Wednesday. Nick.
Pablo is listed as being out do to quadriceps. This was updated on MLSnet.com on the 11th.
Kirovski I have no idea, but I think it would be beneficial to keep him around until someone makes an offer for him that is really going to imporve the team.
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