RSL Owner At Least Shows Passion

On this busy day of international soccer, check out this interesting piece from Soccer America magazine on Real Salt Lake owner, Dave Checketts. I don't know anything about the man and maybe he is not Mr. Nice Guy but, according to goalkeeper Nick Rimando, at least he seems to care about his team. Can anyone imagine Mr. Kroenke coming into the Rapids' dressing room to encourage the players? Just pointing out some crucial differences in perceptions and possible coincidences with the fact that RSL are in Sunday's MLS Cup final and the Rapids are not.
http://www.socceramerica.com/blogs/mls_confidential/?p=242

Over The Hills And Not So Far Away

What is there to say? Destiny in their hands, playoff berth on the line, players playing against their old clubs on both sides, arch rivals, Rocky Mountain Cup. What more do you need? The only thing I am certain of is that CBS4 Denver will not be bothering to cover any of this game but will instead be focusing on Brandon Marshall's inane comments in a bye week. Sorry, bit of frustration there at the completely crap coverage of this great game and great bunch of local professional athletes by one of our esteemed local broadcasting networks. They are not alone, it has to be said.
I'm not going to say much about the game. I know what the line-up will be but I'm not going to say anything out of respect for Gary Smith and the players. Anything he can keep under wraps before this game could be an advantage to the Rapids. And I'm sure Jason Kreis will be checking my blog first thing this morning.
One thing that may work in the team's favor is Smith's experience of English soccer, notably the FA Cup. This game has all the attributes of a great FA Cup tie. Local derby, win and you are in, lose and you are out. I am desperatly trying to manage my expectations, just as I would if it was England playing in a big game. The trouble is, if the Rapids start the game well, those expectations will rise and then only disappointment can come. And it would be a bitter disappointment at that after a much better season than in the past two years.
On the positive side, as up for this game as Salt Lake will be, I don't think they are as formidable a side as Dallas have been the past few weeks. The Rapids were on a bit of a wing and a prayer going into Texas last week. Today, even though Salt Lake still have a sniff at the postseason themselves, I think the Rapids will be happier playing them than Dallas. Just a hunch.
See you down at the British Bulldog. And good luck to all the traveling Rapids' fans. Wonder how many Broncos fans get off their arses and make a road trip every season? Umm. Must give CBS4 a call about that one.
And a prediction, my only one of the season. Rapids win 3-2 with Kosuke Kimura netting the winner in the 85th.

Another Date With Destiny Across the Mountains

The only good thing about the weekend shakeout is that the Rapids still hold their playoff destiny in their hands. The problem is, they have been doing that for many weeks now and they still need a win in their final game on the road against arch rivals Salt Lake to achieve it. Gary Smith said a few weeks ago, from memory after the home tie against San Jose, that God forbid it would come down to another end of season climax with Salt Lake. Well, it has, and the Rapids will require a herculean effort, not a little luck and loads of offensive skill to get what they need.
I am in agreement with Gary Smith that this time cannot be faulted for lack of effort. The way they train, the work rate during games. This team works hard, every one of them. The bitter truth is, however, that all the injuries to wide midfielders have exposed a lack of depth on the wing and service to Cummings and Casey has suffered as a result. As much as it pains me, my mind has gone back this weekend to the bitter defeat in Chicago. Yes, the Rapids did win two games immediately after that, at home to Toronto and Houston. But, both those games were won by tight 1-0 margins. And what has happened since then? Defeats and draws only. In the Chicago game, the team looked far more penetrating offensively and I don't see any coincidence in that Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith played that day. When the team is more penetrating, it gives Cummings and Casey more confidence to take the opportunities they will get. When such opportunities are so few and far between, it can add to too much pressure on too few scraps.
The Chicago game also cast a black cloud over the team. As much as they had to put it behind them (and they did with the two victories immediately afterwards), what would they give now to have kept that 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes to go? If they had held onto that lead, they would be in the playoffs now. Ifs and buts, I know, but that was one traumatic defeat and it would be hard for a human being not to think about that when so much is on the line this Saturday.
The one piece of further good news is that nearly all the playoff aspirants are on the road Saturday. Minus Real Salt Lake, of course. RSL could still squeeze in with a victory against the Rapids and results elsewhere, unlikely as it is, going their way. That is the bad news. Dallas looked speedier than the Rapids Saturday and hungry after their amazing run in recent weeks. Real Salt Lake would likely have been an easier prospect than Dallas until the results at the weekend gave them just a glimmer of hope.
Realistically, the team as it is cannot be expected to go past the first round of the playoffs even if they make the postseason. But to make the playoffs is still very important for this team going into next season. After those two victories against Houston and Toronto, it seemed almost a given that the Rapids would get in the playoffs. But four points in six games and an attack weakened by so many injuries have clouded the issue and made October 24 across the Rocky Mountains another date with destiny. Imagine what spector that would be to carry on your shoulders if the team doesn't make it into the playoffs when so few points were needed as long as six weeks ago.

Looking Over Their Shoulders

Dallas' game with San Jose on Wednesday could help decide the Rapids' playoff hopes. If the streaking Hoops conjure up another win against the also improving San Jose Earthquakes, they will still be in the playoff hunt. If they lose, they will be eliminated from the postseason, presumably making Colorado's trip to Texas October 17 a little easier for the Burgundy and Blue.
That is what it has come down to. Worrying about what happens to the other teams in contention. The Rapids, by only drawing their last four games and not scoring in open play during that time, are making things difficult for themselves. Gary Smith has been saying for some while now that 42 points should be enough but it increasingly looks as if at least one more point than that will be needed, meaning the Rapids have to win one of their remaining two road games. That is why this week's game between Dallas and San Jose appears so important.
Maybe the week off this week will help the team get out of its rut. It's interesting to note that Smith has called the team into practice this week as if there is a game this weekend. No time off at such a crucial juncture. As usual, he did not criticize the team's effort at the weekend but he did say they still have some way to go to create a consistent winning mentality. Not surprising given that the Rapids have not been in the playoffs for two years. This is severe gut check time and everyone will need to look at the example of veterans like Pablo Mastroeni to try and replicate the heart needed. The captain has been the best player on the field by far in the past two games since returning from suspension and everyone needs to follow his example in these last two games.
Two of those not able to follow Mastroeni will be Julien Baudet and Mehdi Ballouchy. Both of these players are out for the Dallas game, Ballouchy very unluckily, Baudet not quite so. Although Baudet clearly did not elbow Kheli Dube, it wasn't the brightest thing to do to raise his hand and Gary Smith wasn't too impressed with his central defender after the game. Fortunately, Cory Gibbs looks likely to be fit again in time for the Dallas game and could take Baudet's place.
In other injury news, Matt Pickens is making good progress but the most surprising news is that Jamie Smith may be able to play some part in the postseason. The winger is able to cross balls and so, presumably, could factor in some kind of training this week. Of course, if the Rapids fail on the road in Dallas or Salt Lake, that could all be a moot point.

Rapids Salvage RSL Tie

"Omar Cummings, out of nothing, ties it." Having just watched the highlights, that seems to sum up the weekend's game. Apologies for not offering anything immediately after the game but I was out in deepest Oregon and miles from a computer. I hadn't seen any of the action until just now and that was a sweet strike from someone who was just getting a little frustrated with his own lack of scoring despite the numerous assists and great all round play. As you will no doubt alreday know, it was sweet enough to earn MLS Goal of the Week. Looks like this was another characterful performance to preserve the unbeaten streak and pick up a point when we could so easily have folded. No Casey, no Pablo and shorn of further attacking options when Terry Cooke had to go off injured in the first half. Looked like a pretty able defensive effort to get the draw. The Rapids now enjoy a week off before embarking on a three-game stretch in eight days starting next Saturday, June 20, at DSG Park against Christian Gomez and DC United. Check back in soon.

Casey With US Earlier Than Expected

So much for the signing of a new forward or forwards to back up Cummings and Casey. Gary Smith won't be able to get any new signing in time for this weekend's game just as Conor Casey is called into the national squad a little earlier than expected. Casey has been called into the World Cup qualifying squad for Saturday's game against Honduras in Chicago as cover for an injured Brian Ching. That means he won't be available for the Rapids' game against Real Salt Lake. Wonder what Smith's reaction to that will be? Already missing Pablo Mastroeni, it looked likely that Terry Cooke or Jacob Peterson would take the captain's place in midfield. Now, who is going to play upfront with Omar Cummings? It is unlikely that Smith will risk Ross Schunk or Gregory Richardson to partner Cummings, at least at the start, so I wouldn't mind betting Peterson will play as a striker with Cooke wide on the right. From looking as if the Rapids could have an advantage over a faltering Salt Lake team who will be missing influential players Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman, the Rapids will themselves be missing two key players. I think the team will do well to get back to Colorado for a rest week with a point.

Rapids Professional Without Being Dominant

Real Salt Lake came to Colorado trying to solve their conundrum of blitzing everyone at home and struggling on the road. After a dramatic first half in which they went 1-0 down to an early goal, lost their goalkeeper to a hand injury and had a player sent off, it wasn't about the conundrum anymore. As Salt Lake's coach, Jason Kreis, said afterwards, it was then about the character of his players. "All evaluation went out of the window," he said. In the end, the Rapids had control of the game throughout the second half, solidifying the very large upper hand they had gained after that first half. They stroked the ball around calmly, exhausted their ten-man opponents and added a second goal from, of all people, Kosuke Kimura, who slammed a great shot home from the edge of the area after Terry Cooke laid the ball off to him. I think he was rather pleased. Gary Smith, Rapids' head coach, was pleased with the result without being excited. That is part of his make-up anyway but it is the right reaction because, while we should be pleased with the result, we are still some way off dominating a team at home. The reaction of Ugo Ihemelu maybe sums the performance up. He was delighted with the shut-out, partly because it was his self-confessed mistake last week which led to LA's equalizer. But it also shows satisfaction at a professional performance rather than delight at a dominating one.
The line-up was interesting. After a run of a few games between the posts, Preston Burpo was left out in favor of Matt Pickens, the original number one choice at the start of the season. Mehdi Ballouchy, who has been a constant in the midfield, was dropped to the bench with Nick LaBrocca, scorer of the first goal, getting the start. Both Burpo and Ballouchy had not quite lived up to their own high standards in recent games, Smith said. It was time for a change. The Rapids have a bye next week before going on the road to play New England.