Team in Reasonable Shape as New England Awaits

Apologies for the lack of posts this week. Annual work conference for three days this week, coincidentally here in Denver. There was a lot of work and a lot of drinking. It meant I couldn't get up to training to check on how things are going after a week off last weekend for the Colorado Rapids. What I can offer are some thoughts fom Gary Smith both on new boy, Rob Valentino, and where the team is after a tough opening stretch of games. Smith said he would have been happy with the current position of the team if that had been offered to him at the start of the season. And he didn't just mean where they are in the league. "If I could have had a picture of where the team is in terms of points, physical state, form and consistency, I would have taken this at the start of the season," he said. With the tough opening of all those games on the road, Smith said his team is one that is in "reasonable shape" in terms of finding the form needed to make the playoffs. He is particularly happy with the improved defensive ability of the team. "I have been more pleased with what we have been able to achieve in terms of clean sheets and being frugal," he said. Tomorrow at New England, injuries and form aside, will be a further big test of that defensive strength. The game kicks off at 5.30pm Denver time.
One player unlikely to be traveling, unless there are any last minute major injuries, is new signing, Rob Valentino. The former New England player was due to be training with his new teammates this week in Colorado but, with first choice players like Cory Gibbs and Ty Harden appearing to be back on the mend, there is not much room left on that bus. The week off has given players like Gibbs a great opportunity to get back to fitness and it would seem he will play some part in the game tomorrow. Smith sees Valentino as a player with great potential but one that is unlikely to be called on that much this season. What he wants is a "little bit of a conveyor belt" of central defenders coming through. He certainly seems to have that now as he concentrates on defense and getting a new striker, his midfield core apparently pretty settled. Tomorrow's game will be hosted by GB Fish and Chips on South Broadway. See you there.

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.