Rapids Pick Up Valuable Point in Kansas

I have to declare an interest here. I wasn't able to see this game. All I have are the postmatch comments of both the team and friends who called me after the game to fill me in.
What I can say is that a point in Kansas is a very valuable one at this stage of the season. I know the Rapids are not picking up three points on anything like a consistent basis but we cannot underestimate the injuries that have befallen them. To lose the whole squad's only three out and out wingers is kind of freaky and leaves the team so short of options. Steve Guppy told me after the San Jose game the other night that he got one injury in his whole career. Wingers don't get injured, he said. Of course, they can, but to have all three of Jamie Smith, Colin Clark and Jacob Peterson out at the same time is very bad luck. And it means, as Gary Smith as pointed out, more pressure on the back line not to concede because so few attacking opportunities may be created.
There is still some danger this team will not make the playoffs. Next week's final home game of the season is now a must win and would take them to the "magic number" of 42 points. I think the team should get to the postseason from here but it will be one mighy uphill stuggle given the attacking deficiencies caused by all these injuries. Let's be realistic given what has happened. To get into the playoffs can be the only target for now. The team will have done very well to get there. Any more than that is probably a few steps too far.

Herc Gunning for Rapids at Season Opener

The Colorado Rapids will play the Kansas City Wizards in their home opener at the end of March and a former DSG Park favorite is looking to spoil the celebrations. I caught up with former Rapid, Herculez Gomez, around Christmas time and he said he was very much looking forward to that game in Commerce City. "I have nothing but good memories of Colorado but I would love nothing more than hurting my old team," he said. Always combative, Gomez said he felt the move to Kansas during the season last year had really helped him. He started every game bar one since the trade and he likes the cohesion of the Kansas City team and his role in it. "I am in a neat position there as a right-sided midfielder," he said. "I feel I have good attributes for that position." It does help a player's confidence if he can get a regular start, something that did not happen last season in Colorado. But Gomez bears no grudges and thinks the team will do well under Gary Smith. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for him," he said. "He is very honest with all the players and he is smart enough to know that, if a player is not happy, he will not get the best out of him." The trade to Kansas was handled with great respect by Smith, Gomez added.
So what has Herc been doing to keep fit during the close season? Training a lot with his brother who is a professional martial arts fighter. That has helped strength and cardio fitness. By now, Gomez will have reported for preseason. Unlike the Rapids, Kansas are due to go abroad and will be visiting Guadalajara as well as Bradenton in Florida during the preseason. Gomez is in his last year of an MLS contract and said he would not rule out Mexico as a possible soccer destination for him. He does hold a Mexican passport as well as a US one. But, for now, he is enjoying life in Kansas City and would like to stay there if the next season works out well for him. "I like the direction this team is going in," he said. "This is the first time in a while that I feel like I am playing in a team with a strong identity." One of the things he did enjoy last year was linking up with former Argentine star, Claudio Lopez, who has re-signed with Kansas. "I kind of meshed with him," Herc said. "He is not the youngest but he is very smart and makes excellent runs."
You are always said to see good players and good people leave your team but the move to Kansas seems to be working out well so far for Herc. We wish him well for the season except, of course, for the DSG Park opener.

Where Are All The Good Guys Going?

Kansas City in this case. The Colorado Rapids today traded Herculez Gomez to the Kansas City Wizards. I am personally gutted because Herc was always approachable and a damn fine footballer to boot. I understand why he is making the move although it is still unclear just how much say he had in it. There is always pressure in professional sports, obviously, to perform but I don't think that I am alone in thinking that Herc had been put under too much pressure with the limited amount of gametime that he was getting this season. It can be unfair sometimes to expect someone to perform at their best consistently when their opportunities are so few. He had expressed his frustration to me a few times this season. We heard how he was still battling back from last season's ACL injury even though the player felt he was among the fittest members of the squad. He just wanted a good run in the team to prove he still belonged and he never really got that. I shall personally miss him both on and off the field but I wish him only the best.
Interim head coach, Gary Smith, said the following about the trade: "We certainly wish Herculez all the best and appreciate everything that he gave to our club. We wanted to give Herculez an opportunity where he could be productive, while we look for the right combination of players up top for us. I think adding several draft picks allows us to add some spice in the future as well." We shall see. Right now, I would rather have the tried and tested than the promise of something unknown. But sometimes things have to move on and maybe it was just one of those things. Everyone knows it was not personal and just another professional decision. But the Rapids have lost a fan favorite and that will take some time to replace.
As a token of respect, I am adding the link to the matchup for the game tomorrow night as per the Rapids website. It will be the last time you see Herc lining up for us. http://www.coloradorapids.com/TheMatch/Matchup.aspx