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.

Rapids Finally Sign French Defender Baudet

Press Release from the Colorado Rapids:
Former Crewe Alexandra Star Expected to Debut With Colorado After the July 15th International Transfer Window Opens
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, June 30, 2009) – The Colorado Rapids announced today the signing of defender Julien Baudet. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Baudet’s addition to the team, which will take place after the July 15th International Transfer Window opens, is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Baudet begins a new chapter in his ten-year professional career coming to the Rapids from English League One side Crewe Alexandra, where he served as team captain the last few seasons.
Baudet’s career began in France with Ligue Un club Toulouse, followed by stints with Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, and Notts County in England. Throughout his career, he has tallied 18 goals and three assists from his center back position.

Apparently, the 30-year-old central defender is also a very good skier though I can't see Gary Smith allowing him to do much of that here in the Rockies. This was a long expected move. What's more interesting to note is: a)how will Baudet fit in in an already crowded defense that has already seen two players (Harden and Holody) go out on loan? and b)with a new striker imminent, that means one roster spot has to go, by my reckoning anyway. If they can trade him, Ciaran O'Brien looks the most likely candidate.

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.

Colaluca Leaves Rapids; Defender Signed

In not the world's biggest surprise, midfielder Nico Colaluca has been traded to the New England Revolution. In return, the Colorado Rapids have signed defender Rob Valentino from New England. In what is turning out to be a pretty settled midfield, there was little prospect any of the players outside of those who have played there so far this season would get any game time. First, John DiRaimondo was waived, now Colaluca is traded. Don't be surprised if Ciaran O'Brien, another Generation Adidas player, is on his way soon either.
I'll try and find something out about Valentino and where he fits in to the defense strategy of the Rapids. The team does seem somewhat overstocked in that area but it may be that the injuries are mounting up and some kind of extra back-up is required there for now. Valentino was drafted by the Revolution in the first round (13th overall) in the 2008 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Last season, he did play in US Open Cup games as well as nine Reserve Division matches.
Colaluca was selected in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft and appeared in just four games for the Rapids during his career here. He was a regular member of the reserve team and a significant figure in Colorado’s 2007 MLS Reserve Division championship team.

Easy Rider and a 3-4-1-2 Formation

Maybe this is what Colorado Rapids' coach, Fernando Clavijo, thinks to himself when he's on the seat of his Harley approaching Estes Park. How am I going to get the most out of my big players and what is the best formation to fit the biggest of them all, Christian Gomez? Well, it may just be the 3-4-1-2 scenario, Gomez being the 1. "I don't want to play with one striker if I can avoid it," Clavijo told me at training today. If current indications are to go by, those two strikers, subject to fitness, are probably going to be Tom McManus and Conor Casey. Casey, to large amounts of applause from his teammates, saw some action today in a competitive scrimmage against the University of New Mexico. Coming on for the last 20 minutes or so, the big striker made his presence felt and almost scored a couple of times. The Rapids dominated what I saw of the game (most of it) and ran out easy winners, 4-2. Jacob Peterson was another who looked sharp, scoring twice with one spectacular strike to the top right hand corner from about 20 yards. I think he is beggining to get in the coach's mind a little more and will probably build upon his ten minutes or so against Chicago this weekend.
Many of the big name players had the day off. Pablo Mastroeni, who is set for a long run in the side if he can keep fit, was nowhere to be seen. Terry Cooke and Rafael Gomes were not suited up at all. Cooke, who has been quiet the last two games, admitted to some naivety in the team last weekend. Clavijo expressed what many have been saying this week how badly caught out the defense was when in attacking mode. They simply were not able to get back into position to prevent the inevitable goals. Expect Kosuke Kimura to come back into the line-up this weekend (he better, he's in my fantasy team). Otherwise, it may be a pretty similar line-up to last week. Ugo Ihemelu played a full 90 in the scrimmage (or was it 120? The game seemed to go on for ever), and his speed would be a welcome asset in the heart of defense. I would think he will get some action this weekend. Ciaran O'Brien could see some gametime too.

Not One But Two For O'Brien

Ciaran O'Brien, the rookie Rapids midfielder who was sent off last week on debut for a rough tackle on LA Galaxy forward, Carlos Ruiz, will receive a two-match suspension. I spoke to Ciaran at training earlier this week and he fully expected to get just a one match ban. I'm sure the powers that be were affected by the fact that the tackle did end in a serious injury for Ruiz who will be out for four to six weeks. Based on his performance, O'Brien looks a strong personality not easily overawed. He will be back and stronger for it. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing him play again. He is strong in the tackle (a bit too strong on Ruiz, admittedly) and plays with great heart.