Rapids Close in on Striker as Waive Richardson

Press release from the Rapids issued late Friday: The Colorado Rapids announced today the club has waived forward Gregory Richardson.
Richardson appeared in one game for the Rapids this season playing 11 minutes in the season opener against Chivas USA on March 21. He also played the full 90 minutes in Colorado’s U.S. Open Cup play-in match against Seattle on May 26.
Richardson’s rights were originally acquired by the Rapids in a trade with Toronto FC on February 27 and the Guyana forward was signed by Colorado on March 20.

This makes the likelihood of singing another striker in the not too distant future ever more of a possibility. More to follow later.

European Footballer of the Year to be a Rapid?

May seem a bit far-fetched and have no basis in truth but there is a rumor going around that former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker, Fernando Morientes, may be making his way to Colorado. A fomer European Footballer of the Year, no less. I don't know about that but I do know that there will be another striker on his way to DSG Park in the not too distant future and it does appear that he will be from outside the MLS. Paul Bravo, technical director, did tell the rapidsundercurrent blog this week after the signing of Noonan that there will be more "exciting news in the near future" and Gary Smith has also told MLSnet that they are looking outside of the MLS for such a striker. Clearly, the two signings will mean roster moves and it's probably clear who is looking the most vulnerable. Gregory Richardson, who made two assists yesterday in the reserve team's 5-1 win over the Colorado Foxes, does not look likely to break into this team and must be a likely contender. Ciaran O'Brien is out on loan for the rest of this season and appears to not have any chance of breaking into the Rapids' midfield and the defense seems somewhat top-heavy, especially in the center and on the left side. I don't see any of the center backs going - Gibbs, Palguta and Ihemelu are staying, Harden is well-liked by the coaching staff, Holody is a draft pick and cheap and Valentino has just been signed. Jordan Harvey appears to have locked up the left back position so that makes Ivan Guerrero vulnerable too. Expect an announcement on such roster moves from the Rapids in the very near future.

Still Pressing for a Forward; Baudet Update

Everyone knows that the Colorado Rapids are not exactly deep when it comes to strikers. If either of first choice duo Conor Casey or Omar Cummings gets injured, the Rapids will have draft pick Ross Schunk or new signing Gregory Richardson to pick from. Schunk and Richardson have a combined MLS experience of zero games. Gary Smith is therefore trying to track a forward down with some urgency. "We are looking every day," he said recently at training. "There are a number of bodies we would love to bring in." With it being almost May and transfer windows in Europe not allowing trades, it could well be at least July until such a signing could occur, Smith added. One forward who was a recent possible target was Australian Matt Simon but any chances of that transfer happening have "died a bit of a death," Smith said. I wrote the other day about how Richardson was apparently impressing in reserve games but it appears to be Schunk who is winning the battle to be the forward on the bench. There are doubts that Richardson, who has undoubted skill, is really physical enough to survive in this league.
A quick word on Julien Baudet, the French defender currently with Crewe Alexandra in England. Baudet, according to reports, appears destined for Colorado in the summer but Smith cautioned that this move is far from a done deal, stressing that there were many considerations to deal with before any signing actually took place. "We like him and he was highlighted to us some time ago," Smith said. "He would fit the bill but there are financial and family issues."

New Names and Gregory Richardson

You may have noticed some new names playing for the Rapids' reserve team in recent games against the universities of Denver and New Mexico (see www.rapidsundercurrent.blogspot.com). In the defeat of DU 3-1 yesterday, one of those names was Ritchie Kotschau, a former Rapid of course. To try and add some detail on those triallists, I spoke very briefly with Gary Smith last week as the team was about to board the bus for Houston. I can't offer much on them other than that it is unlikely any of them will be staying around. "They were more there to make up the numbers to be honest and they won't be staying," Smith said last week. Admittedly, that was before the game yesterday against DU and one triallist, Chris Salvaggione, did manage to score two goals in that game. It was also noticeable that a triallist from the New Mexico game, Clayton Zelin, was also playing yesterday. I'll try and keep you posted on the future, if any, of such triallists.
More significant, perhaps, have been the performances of Gregory Richardson. The Guyanese forward has scored consistently in all the reserve games so far, including the Burgundy and Blue game last month, as well as providing assists. He is looking like a good acquisition for the Rapids and Gary Smith should be well pleased with his efforts. Barring injury and form, he is not going to break up the Casey/Cummings formation but he would be a great asset coming off the bench.

Smith Still Seeking Answers to Forward Question

Gary Smith, head coach of the Colorado Rapids, is still tinkering mentally with his roster days ahead of the home opener against Kansas City Wizards. Nowhere is his mind maybe more focused than on upfront where last night's friendly against Metro State allowed him to take a good look at Gregory Richardson and Ross Schunk, the obvious back-ups to frontline strikers Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. The replacements did well enough, both scoring two second-half goals each as the Rapids raced to a 6-0 victory over the college team. Richardson showed plenty of skill and Schunk was strong in holding off defenders. Richardson will clearly be the number one back-up for now, understandable as Schunk is fresh out of college. "Gregory is a very laid back character and he possesses an awful lot of talent," Smith said after the game. "He has nice creativity but what I'd like to see less of is him dropping off deep into areas where he is less effective." Smith was also pleased with Schunk but justifiably conceded it is "maybe a little bit early for him." As he has made no secret of in the past, Smith reiterated his desire to bring in another forward with more experience and caliber. And that forward may come in sooner than the summer, he suggested last night.
Another area that remains up for grabs is the right side of midfield where Terry Cooke and Jacob Peterson are competing. Cooke was named Man of the Match last night for a strong performance which included a fine shot for the opening goal as well as plenty of trademark crosses. Peterson also scored a goal early in the second half. "Jake has a lot of pace and athleticism but may be lacking that finer polish in the final third," Smith said. "Terry showed terrific delivery but, at this stage in his career, he's not going to threaten regularly by getting behind the defense." So, we shall see. I fancy Cooke to start this weekend. Smith said there will be few changes for the Kansas game with the notable exception of Pablo Mastroeni not being available as he is away with the national team in El Salvador. "What's for sure is that it will be a very young midfield," Smith said. "More of the same is what we are after," he added, referring to what he saw as a positive performance against Chivas last week. "We will press Kansas early and make full use of our home turf and of the altitude."
Talking of rosters, expect an announcement in the near future from the Rapids. I cannot say more for now as it is not yet official but there will be a new signing in the next day or so.

Club v Country; Mastroeni Called Into US Squad

Pablo Mastroeni, club captain of the Colorado Rapids, will not be playing in the home season opener next Saturday because he will have the small matter of marshalling the midfield for the US national team in deepest El Salvador. Mastroeni has been called up by national team coach, Bob Bradley, for the vital World Cup qualifying games against El Salvador and then, four days later, at home in Nashville against Trinidad and Tobago. I wouldn't mind betting that Pablo will be released for the Trinidad game. There seems to be a pattern emerging of picking him primarily for the really difficult games away from home where his experience and toughness are perhaps most needed. Granted, he was not able to play in the Mexico game last month because of suspension but there does seem to be this trend emerging. It begs the question as to whether Mastroeni will simply be a convenience in the US set-up while they aim to qualify for the World Cup and would then promptly be dropped for the tournament itself. Of course, if he plays out of his skin during the qualifying games, it could be that Bradley would have no option but to take him to South Africa. But there is this nagging feeling and it is not something that is lost on Mastroeni himself who has to weigh his loyalty to both club and country, two entities he both desperately wants to play for. "It is kind of difficult with the Rapids," he told me this morning. "Clearly, it is everyone's dream to represent their country. We'll just have to see where I am in the big picture." If I was a US fan, which I kind of am a very distant second to England, I know who I would like in my team as Didier Drogba came hurtling towards me with his Ivory Coast teammates. The US will need someone of Pablo's experience in midfield for what will be a very difficult tournament next year in unfamiliar surroundings.
In other news, the Rapids confirmed today that they have signed Gregory Richardson and Scott Palguta, completing the 24-man roster for now. Richardson could well be on the bench tomorrow as the Rapids face Chivas in the season opener.

Summer Striker From Abroad?

Gary Smith may be waiting until the summer for a big signing from Europe if unconfirmed reports of new signings for the Colorado Rapids turn out to be true. Last week, the Rapids signed draft striker Ross Schunk to the team, waiving defender Stephen Keel who has reportedly signed with the Portland Timbers franchise. That left them with one very inexperienced back-up forward to Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. Now, reports say that Gregory Richardson has inked a contract with the Rapids. The Guyanese player hit the headlines last year when he spanked the New England Revolution for a few goals. Head coach Smith may therefore be waiting until the summer for a bigger name, content to have Schunk and Richardson as back-ups until then and probably praying that neither of his frontline strikers get really bad injuries. Schunk and Richardson have zero MLS experience so it will be tough for them if they do get called in. There are also reports out of Rochester that Scott Palguta (see March 11 blog post) has signed a contract. He would be a back-up defender to Jordan Harvey and Ivan Guerrero as a left-sided back. Here's the link to a Guyanese report about Richardson.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/sports/03/12/richardson-runs-onto-rapids%E2%80%99-roster/

Rapids Cruise Past Galaxy

It was just like opening day last season when we stuffed the LA Galaxy 4-0. The Colorado Rapids went to LA today and put five goals past the unfortunate Beckham-less Galaxy who responded with two goals of their own. Today's game had even more of a ring of that opening game last year because Terry Cooke got on the scoresheet just as he did in 2008 for the only time last season. Mehdi Ballouchy, Conor Casey and Omar Cummings (twice) also netted. "It was very pleasing to hit the back of the net five times," said Gary Smith, head coach, speaking from LA. More importantly, Smith said the starting XI today was close to what we can expect come opening day against Chivas, March 21. The XI that started: Burpo in goal, a back four of Kimura, Ihemelu, Gibbs and Harvey, a midfield of Petersen, Mastroeni, Ballouchy and Clark with Casey and Cummings upfront. After about an hour, the entire back four was changed to Wawa, Dalby, Holody and Guerrero with Cooke and LaBrocca coming into the midfield and new boy Richardson taking a turn upfront. "He's not been here that long and he has a lot going on in his life," said Smith of Gregory Richardson, aka Jackie Chan. The Guyanese may have to do some strength and conditioning to make himself ready for the rigors of MLS. "There's not much of him - he seems like a decent lad," Smith said.
Whether Richardson will make the team as another striking option remains to be seen. Smith said he is still looking at one unidentified striker to come in before the season starts. That could leave Richardson's status with the team up in the air though Smith said that some established players could also make way for more forward options and to help keep some of the draft players on board.
Some of those more established players did leave some room for younger draft players Monday when they were waived by the club. Justin Hughes, Cesar Zambrano and Kwame Sarkodie are no longer Rapids players. Smith said that Hughes has attracted interest from a USL-1 team and that he could also likely get on the Real Maryland squad. Zambrano is being courted by sister club Maryland while Sarkodie is using the links between assistant coach, Steve Guppy, and the Rochester Rhinos to pursue dreams there.