Coaching Staff, Goodbye Reserves, Burciaga Going

These were the main subjects of discussion when I talked today to Gary Smith, Colorado Rapids' head coach. We talked about the search for an assistant coach and a full-time goalkeeping coach, the impact of the MLS decision to scrap the Reserve division and some of the anticipated player movements before next season. Here is a summary of our talk.
COACHING STAFF AND GOALKEEPING:
There was a bit of fuss and bother (and a major lack of communication) recently when the Rochester Rhinos announced their player coach, Steve Guppy, a close friend of Smith's, would be leaving to join the Rapids as assistant coach. Smith said today that the search was ongoing and that "it was not nailed on that Steve will be coming." "There are a couple of bodies that I want to interview," he added. One of those bodies will not be John Murphy, former assistant coach during the Fernando Clavijo era and currently Director of Player Development. "I have a great relationship with John," Smith said. "John needs to be in charge somewhere else because a move to assistant would be a backward step for him." "Rightly, he has aspirations to do bigger and better things."
On the goalkeeping coach side, Smith said there are still interviews to be conducted. David Kramer, currently acting as a part-time coach, is in "pole position." "He has good experience and the fact that he has already formed a relationship with the goalkeepers here," counts in his favor, Smith said. One interesting angle on this is what will happen to Preston Burpo next season. With the Rapids having to reduce their squad to 24 players because of the Reserve Division scrapping, Smith agrees that there won't be room for four goalkeepers at the club. With Mike Graczyk already signed up for next season and Chris Sharpe signed to a new MLS league contract, it doesn't leave room to have all of Burpo, Bouna Coundoul and Justin Hughes. "If we have three goalkeepers, we will be holding one more than other MLS teams," Smith said. With his emphasis on youth, it seems likely that Preston Burpo would be the one to miss out and Smith said he could foresee a player coach role at some point for the veteran goalie. "I know that Preston will be pushing for a team spot," he said. "He would be a good individual to have around as a player coach or goalkeeping coach." As for Bouna, who is clearly stalling on signing a new contract, Smith said they were close to coming to a resolution with the Senegal international and his agent. "He has been offered an extremely good contract," Smith added. "Bouna is a very talented young lad and he knows he is in front but we all know that people have dips in form and we need to have individuals who not only fill in the gaps but are also fighting for a first team place."
SCRAPPING THE RESERVES:
"This is probably the first poor decision and step backward that the MLS has made," Smith said. The squad will have to be trimmed down to 24 players which will mean some "very difficult decisions." Preseason will be key in making such decisions, Smith said. "The younger players will have an opportunity to push on and come into the first team but they will be fighting for fewer spots," he said. "It will be impossible to keep all the bodies and some of these boys will be moving to USL." If it hadn't been for the Reserves, players like Nick LaBrocca, Kosuke Kimura and Colin Clark would have found it far more difficult to get first team chances, Smith pointed out. The Rapids will be looking into organizing as many competitive fixtures for second tier players next season but it won't be easy to do so, Smith said.
ROSTER CHANGES:
Smith has made no secret of the fact that he would like to add two or three players to the current squad in an attempt to make the Rapids a genuine contender for the MLS Cup. One of the positions he is focusing on is another versatile defender, primarily a full-back. The talented but inexperienced Jordan Harvey and Kosuke Kimura look to be the starters right now but there will be no place next season for Jose Burciaga. The veteran left back, who joined from Kansas City at the beginning of last season, started off with a bang, scoring against his old team early on, but injuries set in and it looked as if all his confidence, not to say pace, had gone in later games. "Jose will be moving on to a new home so sadly it won't be here," Smith revealed. The back four of choice looks settled for now with Cory Gibbs and Ugo Ihemelu as center backs but Facundo Erpen, who also looked on his way out at the end of last season, may be revitalized since the departure of Mike Petke and could be challenging for a spot.
Upfront, Smith emphasised his desire to add a striker even with a reduced roster. "Four will be a competitive number," he said. "Omar (Cummings) will be called up, people will pick up injuries and suspensions and we have to have at least one striker on the bench."
Smith said he is spending his days watching a lot of DVDs of players and is keeping an open mind as to where they will eventually come from. The problem with the MLS, Smith said, is that, if you want a player, you also have to be ready to trade a player that you would ideally want in your first team. That is why he is using the relationship with Arsenal to tap into their scouting network. So far, he has seen players as far afield as Holland, South America and Italy that he likes the look of. Ideally, it would be nice to have players in place before preseason. "I don't want a poor personality in the locker room," Smith said. "It is more important for me to get the right person in than the wrong person at the ideal time."
Apart from watching DVDs, Smith will be returning to England at New Year and will be able to take in some real live soccer. The holiday period is a very busy one in English football with games traditionally played on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and any Saturdays around that time. Smith will then return to the US for the MLS Draft and Combine which take place in early January.

Rapids Lose Game in Ten Minute Spell

Two defensive errors in the space of ten minutes late in the second half and this game was over. The Colorado Rapids lost 3-2 to the Galaxy in LA for the second time this season and now the playoff hopes are dimming. The Rapids simply have to go to Chivas next weekend back in LA and win so that there is not too much pressure in that last home game against Salt Lake.
The Rapids started very well and dominated the first 15 minutes. LA were barely in the Rapids' half. Tom McManus, who hustled well all night, had the first of many chances in the opening 30 seconds but could not convert, the ball eventually finding its way to Kosuke Kimura who shot wide. LA then began to control the game more and took the lead in the 35th minute, a lovely pass from Franklin finding its way to the prolific Edson Buddle who shot wide of Preston Burpo. We went into half time with a lot more hope after Cory Gibbs buried one with a header into the corner from, you guessed it, a Terry Cooke corner.
The second half started brightly with McManus hitting the post from a Colin Clark cross but the crucial ten minutes saw Burpo missing a free-kick cross which curled into a desperate Ugo Ihemelu just yards from the goal and he could do nothing about it. Then, Jose Burciaga, who had just come on as a substitute, lost the ball carelessly in midfield which led to a fantastic strike from the LA player from well out. We did get one back from a McManus penalty but it was all too late.
We just seem to make too many mistakes at the wrong time. Last week, we did it at the front end of the game, this week at the back end when we were looking good for a possible road win. Burpo rescues us often when he is coming off his line to meet through balls on the ground and he also made one fine save early in the second half but he does seem to hesitate often when coming out to meet crosses. Burciaga's mistake was somewhat lazy. I'm sure Gary Smith will be reminding him that an experienced professional should not be losing the ball so easily just in front of the defensive line. That's not to pick on those players. It's just that we seem to make too many errors at such crucial times when we can't afford to be making them. We're still in it but our chances are somewhat dented and it will be an uphill struggle from now.

Nothing But Nets on Global Malaria Day

I was on my way to the pharmacy this morning to pick up some anti-malaria pills. Appropriate because today is Global Malaria Day. I'm getting the pills because I am going to Ghana in a couple of weeks on a volunteer project (more on that another time). I'd been worried about delaying getting the pills as all the other daily crap filtered in and stopped me from getting properly organized. What if they don't have the pills in stock and I've run out of time to get them before I go? Of course, like most things in life, I had no need to worry. I order them, I pick them up and I'm protected against this disease. It made me realize, again, just how damn lucky I am. I can get protection easily. Not so easy for the millions of children and people affected by this preventable disease, 90% of them in Africa. One child dies every 30 seconds. This is absolutely staggering.
Where does soccer come into all of this? Well, the MLS is taking action with its commitment to the UN's Nothing But Nets campaign. MLS Commissioner Garber has today written a letter about the support for the campaign. The Rapids' own Jose Burciaga is involved with this campaign. Maybe he will be one of the players going to Africa later this year to donate nets as the letter explains? It's easy to decry such efforts but this one could actually lead somewhere and save lives. Find out more at www.NothingButNets.net/mlsworks. There's even some funky online game you can play to help donate.

Rapids Sink to Disappointing Defeat

Oh dear. All that optimism from the recent games just went up in smoke tonight as the Colorado Rapids deservedly slipped to a 2-0 home defeat to San Jose Earthquakes. Lacking in creativity and verve, the Rapids never got going. Can anybody even remember a solid chance they had all night? Christian Gomez squeezed the ball across the goal in the opening minute but there was very little else. A 35-yard shot from Jose Burciaga at the death summed up the Rapids' night. It was what they were reduced to and Joe Cannon saved it easily.
San Jose fully deserved the victory. They were more creative, they made a hatful of chances and this was a big night for them. Kamara was a handful all night although Stephen Keel generally marshalled him very well. Kamara did outhustle the Colorado defense, though, for the second and clinching goal. Ronnie O'Brien notched the opener at the end of the first half after picking up the rebound from a great save by Bouna Coundoul. The Rapids did create a lot of pressure after the second goal but it didn't really result in much. Tom McManus was impressive afer coming on as sub but there was no way through the stout San Jose defense. Dare I say it was all a bit reminiscent of last season? No creativity, no spark and no fan atmosphere. All rather depressing and it is a wonder where the Rapids go from here to regroup and figure out what went wrong.

Rapids vs Revs; English League Ramblings

Thoughts turn feverishly now to tonight's game between the Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution. Had to wait for full-time in England before concentrating on the Rapids. With none of the big boys playing at the top of the EPL, it was all relegation-focused. Fulham and Bolton secured vital wins, Fulham away to relegation rivals Reading. Still a chance for the SW6 brigade. I hope they stay up because I used to be able to see Craven Cottage from my bedroom window. I am sure you all really care about my team, Gillingham. Having gone up 1-0 to league leaders Swansea, they managed to let in two goals in a minute at the end of the first-half to lose 2-1. Swansea got promoted to the Championship as a result and Gillingham are facing almost certain relegation. Bugger Bognor too. I'm glad I could get the quote in (George V on his death bed, apparently) but unhappy it comes at the expense of my hometown team, St. Albans City, who are also now facing imminent relegation from the heights of Conference South having lost to a last minute goal from fellow strugglers Bognor Regis Town.
Ok, got that all out of the way. Now, we can focus on the Rapids. It has the potential of being a real cracker. I remember losing so miserably last season away in the last couple of minutes, a defeat that almost decided our playoff hopes. This year, our hopes are different. I don't think there will be any fear on the part of the Rapids this time round. If we play as bullishly as we have done in the opening two games, we are in with a good chance of picking up something. But this New England team, injuries aside, will be a tough assignment. These Gambian guys look very exciting, particularly 19-year old Nyassi. Let's hope our somewhat inexperienced defense can keep him under wraps. Gomez and Joseph are clearly going to be involved in a major match-up. It will be very interesting to see how Christian Gomez handles this one. I am excited about the potential of him playing a blinder but who knows? Pablo looks to be starting so we will see for a full 90 (maybe) how he will link with Gomez. Will there be a place on the bench for new signing McManus? Burciaga running against Hilgenbrinck could also be a highlight. The Rapids somewhat unceremoniously dumped Hilgenbrinck before he could really kick a ball in anger, having signed him from Chile. Maybe Burciaga will prove today that the Rapids did the right thing? No predictions, just exciting possibilites. See you all at GB Fish and Chips. Come on you Rapids!

Burciaga to Rapids But Where Are The Strikers?

Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo called the From The Pitch radio show Tuesday night and intimated a trade with Kansas was imminent and so it proved. Jose Burciaga Jr. will suit up in the maroon and blue at DSG Park come March 29. This all seems fine and dandy. An attack-minded defender who can create and score goals and who is a consistent veteran of seven seasons and still only 26 years old. What concerns me slightly is speculation the Rapids may be looking to sign another defender currently playing abroad. A mighty fine article from our friends at The Black Panther speculates on who it could be (see link below). If it turns out to be true though, shouldn't we be focusing on more attacking options? We need to strengthen our attacking midfield and certainly our striker options. Unless someone is leaving. The defense has proved itself pretty sound and will be strengthened by Burciaga but our main problem of not scoring goals is still far from resolved.

http://levyashin.blogspot.com/2008/01/rapids-get-burciagia.html