Rapids Confirm New Supporters' Terrace

Very good move by the Rapids and kudos to Jeff Plush and all the supporters' groups.
Here are the details from the Rapids:

In a move that will transform the way the world’s game is supported in the Rocky Mountain region, the Colorado Rapids announced today their plans for the creation of the new “Supporters Terrace” behind the north goal at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for 2010 and beyond.
Using the stadium’s unique design, this new Supporters Terrace will become an adult-oriented area designed to allow for the exuberance of the Rapids’ most passionate fans.
This move to create a new section of the stadium specifically to appeal to the Rapids’ adult demographic was conceptualized and created in conjunction with the Rapids’ existing supporters club leaders and will allow for their voices and energy to be felt in a whole new manner.
Historically in soccer, the term “terrace” has referred to the traditional standing area behind the goals of a stadium, particularly in the United Kingdom, that offered a cheaper alternative to sitting in the stands and a more popular spectator area for members of the working classes. The Rapids’ Supporters Terrace will be the first true terrace area of its kind in Major League Soccer, and will aim to expand upon the experience found in terraces overseas.
“The Rapids’ Supporters Terrace will be a perfect opportunity for us to take our fan experience to a new level,” said Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush. “We believe that through our supporters groups and those most dedicated Rapids fans, the Supporters Terrace will create that truly authentic soccer experience at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.”
The new Supporters Terrace will allow each of the Rapids’ various supporters groups and other rabid fans a place to call their own in the stadium. Flags, banners, instruments, singing and other passionate support of the team at home games will all be encouraged, making the Supporters Terrance the place to be for Colorado’s most enthusiastic soccer fans. Special vending options will also only be available for Terrace fans.
“The Rapids have proved with the creation of the Rapids Supporters Terrace that their main focus is building an atmosphere that all supporters can be proud of,” said Mark Bodmer, Founder of Rapids Supporters Club Class VI. “The Supporters Terrace will allow Rapids fans to now become an influencing twelfth man. This move speaks loudly and shows the Rapids’ commitment to soccer fans.”
“What makes this such a big announcement is that the Rapids are involving the fans in the decision-making process,” added Patrick Quinn, president of the Centennial Firm Rapids Supporters Club. “The organization is showing that they are supportive of us and want to help us create an environment where we as supporters can grow and be successful.”
“The Bobbies are thrilled to join the other Rapids Supporters Groups in the newly-commissioned Supporters Terrace at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park,” said Jon Forget, President of the newly formed Bulldog Rapids Supporters Group, also known as The Bobbies. “The Rapids organization has put their best foot forward to help improve the gameday atmosphere at the stadium, and our group is looking forward to joining the other Rapids Supporters Groups in making the Terrace the epicenter of an elevated atmosphere at the park.”
Season tickets in the brand new Rapids’ Supporters Terrace are now on sale for $216 per person, and include access to other fantastic season ticket holder-only benefits. Supporters Terrace tickets can be purchased by calling the Colorado Rapids Ticket Sales Hotline at (303) 825-GOAL or online at www.ColoradoRapids.com.

Conor Casey! Clap, Clap, ClapClapClap!

Big Tall Bald Guy! Yes, indeed, Conor Casey came up with the goods, notching a hat-trick to take the Colorado Rapids to a 3-2 victory against LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center. In truth, they weren't the hardest goals the big fella will ever score but he took all the chances perfectly, including the opening goal 17 seconds into the game, and the Rapids came away with a vital win at a place that has so often been a major disappointment to them. The first two goals were very similar as Omar Cummings exploited the acres of room presented to him to use his pace and cross perfectly for an unmarked Casey to slide the ball home. The winning goal, just a few minutes from the end of the game, saw Colin Clark rob the ball on the counter attack and put a perfect pass behind the defense. Casey had more to do this time but kept his composure to round the keeper and slot home.
The Rapids really had few genuine chances on the night but, the few they did, they managed to score. The team worked very hard and maybe their relative youth compared with the ageing Galaxy and their extra fitness ground out the deserved victory. Nobody worked harder than Casey. I really felt it was time for him to be subbed before that winning goal and let Gregory Richardson's pace torment the tiring center backs for the remaining minutes (turns out Richardson was not actually on the bench this time). It would be nice to see Cummings and Richardson interact at some point this season but, for now, we all pray that Casey and Omar don't get badly injured. They complement each other very well with the their respective strengths and they have now managed five goals between them in the opening three games as well as Omar's two assists yesterday.
Talking of subs and watching the game at the British Bulldog, there was no doubt who the Class VI fans wanted to come on after his blistering performance last week against the Wizards. Terry Cooke duly came on at what seems to be his normal time with about 25 minutes to go, replacing a tired Pablo Mastroeni after the captain's exploits for the US during the week. Cooke wasn't able to repeat last week's virtuosity but the fans were happy to see him as witnessed by the chants in the pub. Jacob Peterson and Ty Harden also got some gametime towards the end. Expect increasing time for Harden in central defense as he works his way back into fitness after such a long break from the game.
I can't honestly put my hand on my heart and say this was a great performance. We didn't create that many chances and we let LA into the game on at least one defensive mistake. Maybe we didn't control the midfield as much as we should have done. However, you cannot fault the effort of the team and the skill of Casey to finish so well. The Rapids now stay in LA for Tuesday's Open Cup game. I'm sure the likes of Casey, Cummings and Mastroeni will be on the flight back to Colorado today but the bulk of the squad will remain in LA awaiting some reinforcements from those players who didn't travel for yesterday's game.

It All Fits But Could It Work? Neville likes Starbuck's

Yes, it seems like a good fit but how do you get there? Colorado Rapids' skipper, Pablo Mastroeni, smiled at my idea of him playing for Everton next season. They have no players, they need to sign up to six new faces, he is looking to move to Europe and play and he wouldn't cost them as much as European players when there is controversy within Goodison Park about the transfer budget. All seems like a slam dunk, right? Well, life is more complicated. Clearly, it is too much pressure on one player to expect him to perform so brilliantly in one game that Everton coach, David Moyes, would sign Pablo on the spot. "I just don't think about the end of the season," Pablo said after training yesterday. "I'm thinking about the next game." And he has things to think about because it looks as if he may be back to a more accustomed defensive midfielder role with some changes in the defense which could see Mike Petke get a much welcome outing. More accustomed role, maybe, but Mastroeni has probably just got used to playing at the heart of the defense. Pablo revealed that he did have the chance of playing for Italian team, Brescia, two years ago, but that the MLS didn't exactly give him a free pass. This time, he won't have to worry about the league because he is out of contract at the end of the season. Moyes did say he is very well aware of American players. After all, he has national team goalkeeper, Tim Howard, to keep him aware of trends in the US player market and he did sign one Brian McBride to play for the Blues. Another point in Pablo's favor is that he wouldn't have to worry so much about the dreaded work permit in the UK because he has an Italian passport which should allow him to work freely anywhere in the European Union. See, it does all add up.
Moyes and team captain, Phil Neville, were very complimentary about the set-up at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and the overall health of the MLS. Moyes was lavish in his praise of the pitch at DSG Park, saying it was one of the best ones he had ever encountered and he had impressive words about the overall state of youth soccer in the US. "The youth teams here are much better than the ones in England and Scotland," he said. England international Neville, who said he was enjoying Cherry Creek and the fact there is a Starbuck's on every corner (there is one in all of Liverpool, apparently), said he was very much looking forward to the game tomorrow. "The quality of the football here is very high," he said."Chicago were very athletic and skillful and we are expecting a tough game on Sunday." Everton lost 2-0 to the Chicago Fire earlier this week.
A couple of other things to note. Moyes said that influential midfielder, Tim Cahill, will not be fit to play tomorrow. The upside is that the Australian walked up and down our co-ed game this morning and might just have noted my left foot rocket into the top corner. Well played, Class VI, great effort all around. Finally, don't be surprised if Preston Burpo gets a start in nets tomorrow.