Another Gomes Comes to Town as Rapids Sign Brazilian

To Christian and Herculez, add Rafael. As discussed last week, the Rapids did sign a Brazilian. Although they missed out on Reinaldo, Colorado did sign Rafael Gomes as a defensive midfielder. Could be interesting when Gomes passes to Gomez who passes to Gomez who scores. Gomes has played in both Brazil and Portugal and was in the same Brazilian national squad at U-15 and U-17 level as Ronaldinho. Notably, the Rapids also announced that they waived Chase Hilgenbrink (he didn't get much of chance having just been signed) and Brandon Prideaux among others. Just goes to show how tough professional sport is. This looks like the end of any pre-season trades as the Rapids are now roster compliant. Same old questions remain on the scoring front.

Rapids Go All Brazilian?

Dick's Sporting Goods Park may be getting a touch of samba for the upcoming season, according to speculation on tonight's From The Pitch radio show. Host and former US player, Marcelo Balboa, said the Rapids may be signing a couple of Brazilians. I wasn't able to listen to the interview later in the show where Rapids coach, Fernando Clavijo, was talking but it certainly adds to the genuine excitement and anticipation around DSG Park these days. One of the players discussed is Reinaldo, currently with Queensland Roar in the Australian league. Here's a rather tasty goal we would all like to see replicated for the Rapids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWB_1NeSKps&feature=related

The other is Rafael Dos Santos but nobody seemed to be able to say what position this player would play. Again, maybe Clavijo clarified. We'll wait and see if there are any developments from the Rapids over the next few days. The Rapids fly off to my homeland Thursday to train with the mighty Arsenal. People may scoff at the marketing partnership with the Gunners but the players can only learn more from the experience of playing with some of the best players in Europe and beyond.
UPDATE: (March 3 2008)
Reinaldo apparently decided to further his Korea by going to career instead.
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=703104.html