Rapids Crash at Seattle; Argentinian Striker?

I had a feeling yesterday morning that the game against Seattle was just ripe for a sound stuffing for the Colorado Rapids. Coming off an untidy draw against Dallas, a third game in eight days, still missing talismanic stiker Conor Casey, away against the best supported team in the MLS - all the ingredients were there for a sound beating. From reading all the match reports, it was clear that the final scoreline did not fully reflect the game as the Rapids outshot Seattle in the first half and unfortunately missed a penalty that would have tied the game. But the penalty was missed, the bubble was burst and the Sounders eventually won the game comfortably in the second half. Nothing to do but lick the wounds, come back home and prepare for the Rapids' favorite fixture - home on July 4, a game they never lose.
In other news, there are internet reports about the team signing Argentinian striker, Facundo Diz (see link below). The Rapids have been wanting to tie up a second back-up forward for some while now, having already picked up Pat Noonan to support Casey and Omar Cummings. Gary Smith, head coach, has said the striker will come from outside the MLS and he also narrowed it down a little at training last week when he said that "the season is still under way where he is playing." That kind of narrows it down to Mexico or South America and lends credence to the report. Also, if a player is stating the name of the team in the interview, why would anyone make that up? "All is going well," added Smith. "We are looking at getting him in as soon as possible." With Cummings now gone to represent Jamaica in the Gold Cup and Noonan still finding his way in this team, the team will need some striker support. At least, Casey will return from South Africa in time for the July 4 game against Chicago.
http://www.sportsya.com/english/news.php/Platense_striker_Facundo_Diz_accepted_an_offer_to_join_Colorado_Rapids_at_MLS.html?id_estruc=283&id=212434

Cummings Nets But Reggae Boyz Not Dancing

I did ask you to spare a thought for Colorado Rapids' striker, Omar Cummings, who played for Jamaica last night in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Canada. Unfortunately, despite a fighting 3-0 victory in Kingston, the third straight win for the Reggae Boyz in World Cup qualifying, they have narrowly missed out on progressing to the final round of qualification. Honduras beat Mexico which meant that Mexico and Jamaica finished on the same points but El Tri go through by virtue of a better goal difference. Heartbreak for Omar and the boys. Cummings came on as a substitute in the 71st minute and managed a goal in the 85th. Probably little consolation for him but we look forward to welcoming him back next season at DSG Park where many feel he will have a big role to play for this club. Here is a link to more details on last night's game for Jamaica.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/nccamerica/matches/round=250468/match=300053874/report.html

Do or Die in Kingston for Cummings and Jamaica

I know all eyes will be on Commerce City for next Wednesday's US World Cup qualifier against Guatemala but spare a thought for Jamaica and Colorado Rapids' Omar Cummings as the Reggae Boyz take on Canada in Kingston in a crucial match. While the US has already qualified for the next round of World Cup qualifying, Jamaica have to beat Canada at home while hoping, in reality, that Mexico beat Honduras away. The Reggae Boyz are simply too far behind on goal difference for them to hope they will get through if there is any other result in Honduras. We wish Omar and the rest of the talented squad, which includes several Premier League players, the best of luck. I would personally love to see Jamaica in the World Cup, especially with former England great, John Barnes, at the helm and Omar playing. Here's a link to the full squad listed in one of Jamaica's premier newspapers.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081114/sports/sports2.html

The Bouna's Back in Town

And he will start in goal for the crucial game against Chivas tomorrow. Bouna Coundoul, the Senegalese goalkeeper recently back from a traumatic time in his native country, will start for the Colorado Rapids between the posts for the first time since August 9. Fan favorite, Bouna, who had had to swallow the pain of his country crashing out of the World Cup and African Nations' Cup qualifying, not to mention the wrath of angry fans in Dakar last weekend, gains the chance to reclaim the number one spot from Preston Burpo. In front of him will be Mike Petke and Ugo Ihemelu with Jordan Harvey and Kosuke Kimura as full-backs. Head coach, Gary Smith, was planning on moving Cory Gibbs to left back and dropping Harvey but Gibbs pulled a groin muscle in training yesterday and will not travel. Upfront, Conor Casey will be back after his red card suspension and will play alongside Tom McManus who played very well last weekend. Omar Cummings, on duty with the Jamaican national team for two games in the past week, will very likely feature with his speed in the final 20 minutes or so. "I told Gary it will be just like last year," Cummings said, referring to his 89th minute winner from a Casey cross which gave Colorado an unlikely 2-1 win away at Chivas at a very similar stage of the season last year. "I'd be very happy with that," Cummings said.
The midfield is a little less obvious. At the request of Gary Smith, I cannot mention specifics, but there are likely to be some changes. What I can say is that the formation will revert to 4-4-2. Pablo Mastroeni is fit to play after withdrawing from the US national team this week following a knee injury picked up against LA Galaxy. Greg Dalby, who turned an ankle yesterday, and Christian Gomez are unfit and will not travel.

Differing World Cup Fortunes for Rapids Players

Some vital World Cup qualifying games in the past few days involving Colorado Rapids players. Back home in Kingston, Omar Cummings played in both Jamaica games on Saturday and yesterday with the Reggae Boyz winning against both Mexico and Honduras 1-0. Omar came on as supersub in both games for the last 20 minutes. The results mean that Jamaica is back in the hunt for qualifying for the next round but it will be an uphill struggle. They will have to hope Mexico beat Honduras away at the same time as themselves beating Canada at home next month. Things were less happy for Bouna Coundoul with Senegal. The West African team, quarter finalists in the 2002 World Cup, crashed out of qualifying after drawing with Gambia in Dakar last weekend. Senegal were up 1-0 with three minutes to go and would have qualified for the next round given Algeria's draw with Liberia but an equalizer from their West African neighbors saw the Senegalese down and out. Bouna did not get any game time. Maybe the disappointment of one of the better African teams not making it could give the opportunity for Bouna to lock down the number one spot in goal next time round?

Pablo Wins, Omar Comes In Late, Bouna Benched

Mixed fortunes for the Colorado Rapids players representing their national teams yesterday in various parts of the world. Pablo Mastroeni played 78 minutes for the US team as they defeated Guatemala 1-0 in Guatemala City in their first World Cup qualifying game of this next stage. Pablo picked up his requisite yellow card and both teams had a player sent off. You may think it is easy to beat a team like Guatemala but it ain't exactly the red carpet the locals put down for the visiting US team. It sure semed like one hostile environment to play in and that is a very strong victory for the US.
Elsewhere, there was very little playing time for Omar Cummings and Bouna Coundoul. Omar came on as an 87th minute substitute as Jamaica drew creditably with Canada 1-1 in Toronto in their World Cup qualifying game. Bouna was the only player left on the bench for the entirety of the Senegal friendly against Libya which ended 0-0. Seems like Bouna may have to get used to this position both at home in Colorado and when on duty with the national team. Tony Sylva is the evident number one for the Senegal team and there is definite tension between the new players and the established stars of the Lions of Teranga. If you can read French, you can find details of such tensions in Senegal's online newspaper, sudonline (see link below to last night's game). In Colorado, Preston Burpo performed very creditably in last week's game against Kansas and it is hard to envisage him not starting this weekend against DC United, not least because Bouna has to make it all the way back from Tripoli and has clearly not practiced with the team this week.
Here are some links to reports on the Jamaica and Senegal games.
http://www.coloradorapids.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=WGw+tDJiJqg=
http://www.sudonline.sn/spip.php?article13309