Rapids Give It Their All But Fall Short In Canada

Well, they tried. A banged up Colorado Rapids gave it all they got against a Dwayne De Rosario-inspired Toronto and almost came up with the goods in Canada. Instead, they return home defeated for a few days to regroup before a vital home and away series against San Jose.
Conor Casey, with his 13th goal of the season, equalized early in the second half after some rubbish defending from Toronto made Kosuke Kimura's floating cross much more dangerous than it should have been and Mike Holody, in only his second MLS game, notched a crucial goal very late on to give the Rapids some hope but it wasn't to be. De Rosario had scored a beauty in the first half to give Toronto the first half lead and it was also his bit of sublime skill that led to the second Toronto goal as he chipped a great pass into the penalty area for substitute, O'Brian White, to run onto and score with a neat lob. A third goal soon after appeared to have ended the game before Holody's very skilful late strike. If only Nick LaBrocca had put that one in from point blank range just minutes before Holody took his chance, the Rapids might have escaped with a point.
In truth, it was hard to expect the Rapids to get anything out of this game given injuries, suspension and other absences. The midfield was depleted with Mastroeni out through suspension, Jamie Smith and Colin Clark out for the rest of the season injured and Mehdi Ballouchy unable to travel because of immigration issues. Such absences meant a rare start for Greg Dalby as a defensive midfielder. The Rapids were also without Matt Pickens who is out injured for at least two weeks. Preston Burpo got his chance in goal and could not be faulted for any of the three Toronto goals.
Bright spots? Many, to be honest. LaBrocca had a powerful game in central midfield and it would only have been fair for him to have scored on that late opportunity. Omar Cummings was his usual menacing self and he will be disappointed at scuffing a golden opportunity in the second half when he carved an opening out of nothing. Jacob Peterson, quiet in the second half, had a good first 45 minutes and almost scored after creating an opening with Cummings and taking the Jamaican's return pass. It was good, too, to see Facundo Diz get a chance in the last ten minutes or so. He pushed himself around powerfully and wasn't afraid to get in the mix.
Gary Smith said he wanted four points from the next three games including today's. The home and away series against San Jose looks increasingly important to reach the 40 point nirvana.

It Ain't Pretty But It's Got Heart

The Colorado Rapids played their prettiest soccer in the 2-2 home draw against Seattle earlier this season. They have played their most professional soccer in the last two home victories which included a tight 1-0 win over Toronto last night.
Sometimes, it’s about digging deep and finding ways to win. The victories against Houston and Toronto are a far cry from the horrors of Bridgeview when the Rapids blew a 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes to go against Chicago. Surely, now, the Rapids are in the playoffs. Thoughts may even be turning to what ifs? Can the Rapids go all the way a la Gary Smith pre-match big screen video?
Toronto may not have been all that much of a threat offensively, De Rosario excepted, and they may have finished with just nine men, but let’s think of what the Rapids were missing. No Mastroeni, no Gibbs, no Palguta and no Jamie Smith, on crutches last night and out until the postseason. No Clark, obviously. He told me last night that he was making a good recovery but we won’t see him on the field until April 2010.
This was a time when the irregulars and the newbies as well as the more seasoned players had to step up and they did, big time. Drew Moor, signed from Dallas only on Monday, was almost flawless in defense apart from one near-fatal error in the first half when he almost gifted the ball to Toronto in front of goal. Other than that, this was a hugely promising debut. It was also good to see Mike Holody get his MLS debut. Gary Smith said afterwards that the rookie has been very impressive since returning from loan and has edged himself up the defensive pecking order.
Props to the big players too. Conor Casey may have missed the penalty but his header was all Casey. Brutal. There was so much power in that header. Strike partner, Omar Cummings, may have been shut down rather well by Toronto’s impressive center back, Gomez, in the first half but he was always a threat. When was the last time the Jamaican had a bad game for the Rapids?
"We've been talking about it all week, of how difficult it was going to be and how we needed the right attitude," Julien Baudet told me after the game. "This showed how we can graft results. From back to front, it was a very professional performance."
Yes, indeed. This was all about heart and graft and finding a way to win in trying circumstances. The Rapids may be depleted in many areas of the field, particularly in midfield, and there are moves afoot to strengthen that area. Yesterday, there were reports of DaMarcus Beasley walking around the stadium with Cory Gibbs. Maybe they are just good friends or maybe Gibbs is trying to persuade him that Denver’s a nicer place to live than Glasgow? Who knows? Let’s think about the difference in money between the MLS and the Scottish Premier though. He would have to take a mighty step down in wages. I’ll try and get something up after Labor Day on the transfer and injury list dilemma.
For now, Rapids fans should be proud of the squad they have and how they are toughing things out to help bring this team into the playoffs.

Omar to Dash Back to DSG Park? Smith Unofficial

The Rapids enter a huge game tomorrow night. It has Must Win written all over it. After only one point in the last three games, a home win against a Kenny Cooper-less Dallas is surely that. The team will not want to go away to DC next week with anything less than three points tomorrow night. Personnel for tomorrow? As much as everyone wants Omar Cummings to do well for Jamaica in the Gold Cup, Rapids fans could have at least one selfish eye on his national team crashing out of the competition tonight. Having already lost the first two games, that is a distinct possibility. According to Gary Smith, Omar is expected to start tonight in Jamaica's final round robin game against El Salvador. If they are eliminated, Smith is hoping he can play some role tomorrow night against Dallas. "The reality is he would be a sub," Smith said. "We'll just see how he is when he turns up." Barring that, the only other major change from last weekend will be the absence of a suspended Cory Gibbs. Scott Palguta looks likely to get the nod in central defense.
Three people who will not be playing are new signing, Julien Baudet, and likely newcomers Facundo Diz and Jamie Smith. Baudet, nicknamed Dolph by his teammates for his enormous frame (big thanks to Chris Sharpe for that one), is not eligible until July 15. Diz will likely be at DSG Park tomorrow but in a suit. He's probably two weeks of training away from being considered, Smith said. Jamie Smith, a former Celtic player with Steve Guppy, is "not yet on the roster," according to the Rapids. He looks highly likely to be on it soon, however. "He's quick and he's got a good engine," coach Smith said today.
With these three signings, I make that a top heavy roster by two spots. Ciaran O'Brien in midfield and Mike Holody in defense, both players currently out on loan, would appear to be the most likely ones released to make way for them. Game time tomorrow is 7.30pm.

DiRaimondo Waived as Holody Signs

OK, now it's official. The Colorado Rapids have signed draft pick Michael Holody to a developmental contract and waived midfielder John DiRaimondo. Holody played in the game against Metro State last night and will give the Rapids another defensive option. DiRaimondo looked to be establishing himself in the midfield alongside Nick LaBrocca early last season but later struggled to keep a spot. A well-liked and hard working member of the team, he will be missed. It was clear that he was one of the more vulnerable players given the demands of the reduced roster size. I did say that either he or Nico Colaluca would be anxiously looking over their shoulders when Stephen Keel was waived (March 13 blogpost). I have found out since then that Colaluca can only be traded because of his Generation Adidas contract. He cannot be waived. Hence the reach out to New York Red Bulls earlier this season when he was practicing with the team with regard to a possible trade.