Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Rapids Get Bad Break In First Friendly

Yesterday the Rapids faced the Timbers in their first game in AZ.  Both teams ran out a close-to-starting XI to start the game.  Here's Colorado's lineup:

football formations

Wynne was held out with an ankle injury.  Portland had early control but Colorado asserted dominance most of the half.  The best Rapids chance was a Hill shot that slammed off the crossbar in the 22nd minute or so.  In the 28th minute Diego Valeri took a great free kick from outside the left side of the box, beating Pickens by placing it in the far upper corner.

The big news happened in the 40th minute.  As Martin Rivero received a simple pass and sent it on he crumpled to the ground grabbing his foot.  He was immediately subbed out, replaced by trialist Cesar Romero.  Further examination overnight has revealed that Rivero fractured his foot.  He'll need surgery and will be out for 2-3 months.  That's a huge loss for the team.

At halftime both teams made significant substitutions.  Portland went with a number of bench/role-players from last season while the Rapids used primarily new players and trialists.  Here's the Rapids XI:

football formations
* = Unsigned player

Not surprisingly both teams struggled to put together cohesive play.  Portland took advantage of multiple breakdowns by the Rapids defense to score twice, in the 63rd and 79th minute, before Colorado combined to get on the board.  A long pass down the left side from Powers found Kindle, who put in a perfect cross to Brown for the goal.  All 3 Superdraft picks combining for a score.

Maurer looked good in goal, he appears to be ahead in the race for the 3rd GK spot.  Kindle had a solid turn on offense but was caught up-field too often.  Serna showed the talent that got him his contract, but his size is still a concern, he's easily muscled off the ball.  The Rapids next preseason game is tomorrow (Thursday) night at 6pm Denver time.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Pery Martinez In Camp

Hendry Thomas' Honduras National teammate, Walter 'Pery' Martinez, has joined the Rapids on trial in Arizona.  The team will play their first preseason game tomorrow against Portland in Tucson, and the game will be streamed live on MLSSoccer.com.  Kickoff is 11am Denver-time.

Today Colorado also confirmed that the 4 picks from last week's Supplemental Draft are still with the team despite not being on the Arizona travel roster.  Griffiths and Castro will join the team in Arizona while David and Pinho will join the team when they return to Commerce City.

Updated camp roster:

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens
Clint Irwin - Unsigned trialist
Jim Mauer - Unsigned trialist

Defenders:
Diego Calderon - International
Marcello Castro - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Brenton Griffiths - Unsigned draftee, International
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (Atlanta loan through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong - Homegrown Player
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon - International
Machael David - Unsigned draftee
Kevin Harbottle - International
Nick LaBrocca
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill - Homegrown Player
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (Rosario Central loan through 2013) - International
Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas - International
Jamie Smith - Unsigned trialist

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown - Generation Adidas, International
Edson Buddle
Charles Eloundou - International
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill
Stefano Souza Pinho - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Walter 'Pery' Martinez -  Unsigned trialist, International
Cesar Romero - Unsigned trialist

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Travel Roster For Arizona Friendlies - UPDATED

Here's the travel roster:

Goalkeepers: Matt Pickens, Stew Ceus, *Jimmy Maurer, *Clint Irwin
Defenders: Drew Moor, Diego Calderon, Chris Klute, Anthony Wallace, Marvell Wynne, *Kory Kindle
Midfielders: Pablo Mastroeni, Hendry Thomas, Nick LaBrocca, Tony Cascio, Brian Mullan, Shane O'Neill, Martin Rivero, Dillon Serna, Nathan Sturgis, Dillon Powers, *Jamie Smith
Forwards: Andre Akpan, Deshorn Brown, Kamani Hill, Atiba Harris, *Cesar Romero

* not under contract

Dropped from the last camp roster we had:
* = Unsigned Supplemental draftee

DF; Marcello Castro*, Brenton Griffiths*
MF: Davy Armstrong, Jaime Castrillon, Kevin Harbottle, Machael David*
FW: Edson Buddle, Charles Eloundou, Stefano Souza Pinho*

Buddle, Castrillon, and Eloundou are expected, the first two injured and the latter with the Cameroon Nats.  3 Supplemental draft picks.are missing however.  See update below for the other missing players.

UPDATE: The Rapids site has been updated.  Armstrong has back spasms, Harbottle is still working on his visa, and Helmick, Vercollone, and Diaz have been released.  No word yet on why the 3 supplemental picks aren't with the team in AZ.

Updated camp roster:

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens
Clint Irwin - Unsigned trialist
Jim Mauer - Unsigned trialist

Defenders:
Diego Calderon - International
Marcello Castro - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Brenton Griffiths - Unsigned draftee, International
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (Atlanta loan through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong - Homegrown Player
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon - International
Machael David - Unsigned draftee
Kevin Harbottle - International
Nick LaBrocca
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill - Homegrown Player
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (Rosario Central loan through 2013) - International
Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas - International
Jamie Smith - Unsigned trialist

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown - Generation Adidas, International
Edson Buddle
Charles Eloundou - International
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill
Stefano Souza Pinho - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Cesar Romero - Unsigned trialist

Friday, January 25, 2013

Part 2 and Rapids Sign Two

I haven't had time to watch it yet, but here's part two of the Inside the Superdraft series:



The big news today was two signings by the Rapids.  First this morning Colorado participated in a lottery for the rights to Charles Eloundou, a Cameroonian striker who signed a contract with the league prior to the SuperDraft but a delay in his work visa prevented him from being available on draft day.  Colorado beat out FSL and DC in the lottery.  Eloundou, 18, has played for Cameroon's U-20 team, scoring 8 goals during the 7 games of U-20 World Cup Qualifying in 2012.  That earned him a cap for the full National Team and his joining of the Rapids will be delayed until next month has he's been called up to the full Nats again for their friendly with Tanzania on Feb. 6th.  He's on loan from Cameroonian side AS Fortuna de Mfou with an option to buy at the end of the 2013 season.  As a bit of a fan of the Cameroon National Team I can't wait to see him in action.

This afternoon the Rapids announced that they had signed Nick LaBrocca to a new contract.  He'll immediately challenge for a starting spot in midfield and if Pablo spends any time on the bench he's the natural replacement.

The updated camp roster is below, but just some numbers on the camp.  There are 38 players trying for 30 spots.  26 players are already under contract.  If we assume that one of the 3 goalkeeper trialists will claim the 3rd GK spot that leaves 9 players trying for the 3 remaining field spots (assuming a signed player isn't cut or traded).  The Rapids have 7 international players under contract and 3 internationals from the Supplemental Draft on trial for a total of 8 international slots.

Updated camp roster:

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens
Joel Helmick - Unsigned trialist
Clint Irwin - Unsigned trialist
Jim Mauer - Unsigned trialist

Defenders:
Diego Calderon - International
Marcello Castro - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Brenton Griffiths - Unsigned draftee, International
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (Atlanta loan through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne
Luke Vercollone - Unsigned trialist

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong - Homegrown Player
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon - International
Machael David - Unsigned draftee
Kevin Harbottle - International
Nick LaBrocca
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill - Homegrown Player
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (Rosario Central loan through 2013) - International
Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas - International
Carlos Diaz - Unsigned trialist
Jamie Smith - Unsigned trialist

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown - Generation Adidas, International
Edson Buddle
Charles Eloundou - International
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill
Stefano Souza Pinho - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Cesar Romero - Unsigned trialist

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Gold Cup and Behind The Draft Scenes

Big news and interesting info today.  Obviously the focus is the announcement that Denver will be one of the hosts for this summer's Gold Cup in July for the first time.  The Gold Cup is CONCACAF's continental championship consisting of 12 teams.  The qualifiers for this year's tournament are the United States, Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Martinique, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, and the winner of Friday's Guatemala - Panama match.  Sports Authority Field was chosen as the host, not DSG Park, so that was a bit of a surprise.  My guess is that Sports Authority was willing to guarantee more moeny than the Rapids were.  That's not a surprise given that the Rapids are already paying out for the World Cup Qualifier in March and they paid out for the Swansea City and Women's National Team match last year.  The draw for teams and schedules will happen later, I assume we'd get ticket information after that.

The other interesting info is that the Rapids and Revolution are the two teams featured in MLS's Inside the SuperDraft video series this year. Today the first part was posted with a couple of quick interviews with Pareja and assistant coach Dave Dir. No shocking revelations in this one, though Pareja seemed to be very interested in a player like Dillon Powers. The preview for the next one looks like they'll be in the Rapids war room at least the night before the draft.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Picks, Trades, and Injuries

Another busy day out in Commerce City.  Two notes, then onto the Supplemental Draft.

  • Edson Buddle left the U.S. Nats camp with an injury to his right knee.  The same knee he's had issues with in the past.  No word on the severity of the injury.
  • The Rapids completed the long rumored trade of Eric Avila's rights to Chivas USA for former-Rapid Nick LaBrocca's rights.  Colorado is currently working on a new contract with LaBrocca.
Now onto the Supplemental Draft.  The Rapids had two 2nd Round picks, a 3rd Round pick, and a 4th Round pick.  With the 4 picks they got (in order):
  • Jamaican defender Brenton Griffiths out of the University of South Florida.  He's also played for the Jamaican U-17 and U-20 teams.  He would take up an international spot.
  • Brazilian forward Stefano Souza Pinho from Fluminense and later loaned out to Guaratingueta.  He would also require an international spot.
  • Nigerian midfielder Machael David from UC Santa Barbara.  He has American citizenship, having moved to Tacoma when he was 17 (a fellow Puget Sounder!).
  • Brazilian defender Marcello Castro from Sacred Heart University.  He would require an international spot.
None of these players have contracts yet, though its expected that Pinho's contract is already negotiated as part of his invite as an international player to the combine and draft.  If he makes the team signing him to a contract will just be a formality.  Right now we have 9 internationals in camp and 8 international spots.  6 of those internationals are already under contract, so the 3 drafted today are fighting for two spots at best, and that's assuming nobody else is signed.  Overall we have 37 players in camp for 30 spots.  Only 24 of them are signed though, leaving 13 players competing for 6 slots.


Updated camp roster:

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens
Joel Helmick - Unsigned trialist
Clint Irwin - Unsigned trialist
Jim Mauer - Unsigned trialist

Defenders:
Diego Calderon - International
Marcello Castro - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Brenton Griffiths - Unsigned draftee, International
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (Atlanta loan through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne
Luke Vercollone - Unsigned trialist

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong - Homegrown Player
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon - International
Machael David - Unsigned draftee
Kevin Harbottle - International
Nick LaBrocca - Unsigned but rights traded for
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill - Homegrown Player
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (Rosario Central loan through 2013) - International
Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas - International
Carlos Diaz - Unsigned trialist
Jamie Smith - Unsigned trialist

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown - Generation Adidas, International
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill
Stefano Souza Pinho - Unsigned drafteeInternational
Cesar Romero - Unsigned trialist

Monday, January 21, 2013

Comings, Goings, and Injuries

Three quick notes.
  • Pareja confirmed today that Jaime Castrillon is on the trading block.  He was also apparently diagnosed with a significant injury int he post-season exam last fall.  He is at the Dick with the rest of the team in preseason but not participating in team drills.
  • Ruben Luna has left camp after getting an opportunity in another league.
  • MF/FW Carlos Diaz and FW Cesar Romero have joined camp.  Diaz bounced around Europe and Romer played with Chivas USA after they both were regulars in the U.S. youth teams.  No word if John Astin will be joining camp later this week.
Updated camp roster:

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens
Joel Helmick - Unsigned trialist
Clint Irwin - Unsigned trialist
Jim Mauer - Unsigned trialist

Defenders:
Diego Calderon - International
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (Atlanta loan through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne
Luke Vercollone - Unsigned trialist

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong - Homegrown Player
Eric Avila - Unsigned Re-Entry draftee
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon - International
Kevin Harbottle - International
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill - Homegrown Player
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (Rosario Central loan through 2013) - International
Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas - International
Carlos Diaz - Unsigned trialist
Jamie Smith - Unsigned trialist

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown - Generation Adidas, International
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill
Cesar Romero - Unsigned trialist

Friday, January 18, 2013

Serna Signed As Homegrown Player, Non-Roster Camp Invites


Today the Rapids signed their thrid homegrown player, Brighton's Dillon Serna.  He joined the Rapids Academy in 2009 and played with the U.S. U-17 and U-20 teams.  He spent this past fall at Akron University, starting regularly as a freshman.  He now leaves college to join the Rapids first team where he can play a number of positions in midfield and defense.  I think Serna will start out as a midfielder but I could see him moving to a wing back position based on need.  More home grown signings are always a good thing.  The only other one that I've heard might be close is James Rogers who's a sophomore at New Mexico, but there's some question if he's a Rapids product or a FSL product as he started in the FSL academy before his parent's move to Denver brought him to the Rapids academy.

Also today Colorado revealed a list of 6 non-rostered players who are trying to make the team in camp as trialists.  top on the list is Jamie Smith, who's option was declined after last season but is still trying to make the roster on a new deal.  I'd like to have Jamie on the team, but given his injury history, at something notably lees than the $150K he was making last year.  Former Dallas homegrown forward Ruben Luna is in camp, along with 2012 supplemental draft pick Joel Helmick, a keeper who lost out on the 3rd string keeper role to Ian Joyce last preseason.  Goalkeepers Jim Mauer and Clint Irwin and defender/midfielder Luke Vercollone round out the list.

So here's the full camp roster, with players noted for their current status.  The only player who isn't expected to be in camp or with a National Team by Monday is Eric Avila.  Rumors are that we've traded his righjts for Nick LaBrocca's rights but there's been no official confirmation.

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens
Joel Helmick - Unsigned trialist
Clint Irwin - Unsigned trialist
Jim Mauer - Unsigned trialist

Defenders:
Diego Calderon - International
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (Atlanta loan through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne
Luke Vercollone - Unsigned trialist

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong - Homegrown Player
Eric Avila - Unsigned Re-Entry draftee
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon - International
Kevin Harbottle - International
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill - Homegrown Player
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (Rosario Central loan through 2013) - International
Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas - International
Jamie Smith - Unsigned trialist

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown - Generation Adidas, International
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill
Ruben Luna - Unsigned trialist

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Rapids Choose 3 In Draft

In today's Superdraft the Rapids stuck with their 3 picks at 6, 11, and 25 and picked up a trio of players who I expect to make the team and contribute.

Going into the draft the talk was that Colorado really wanted CB Walker Zimmerman and he fell to #6 but the Rapids surprised everyone and took UCF forward Deshorn Brown.  DeShorn is a junior at Central Florida and was signed under the Generation Adidas program, which means he doesn't count against the cap and is automatically protected in any expansion drafts.  He's Jamaican, so he will take up an international slot, leaving us 2 open slots.  He was named to the 2012 All-PDL Team and the Conference USA All Conference team.  At 6'3" he'll be a good target for Rivero's free kicks into the box.

At #11 Colorado took Notre Dame midfielder Dillon Powers.  He is one of a few seniors to already have signed a contract with MLS due to his high level of play in college.  He was also considered one of the best midfielders at the combine.  Powers has played for the U.S. U-18 and U-20 teams, being named MVP of the 2010 Milk Cup with the U-20 team.

With their final pick the Rapids took left back Kory Kindle from CSU Bakersfield.  Kindle is a senior but has not yet signed a contract.  He stood out as one of the better left backs at this draft, but he is a converted left mid.

Combined with the announcement of Kevin Harbottle this morning the Rapids are up to 25 players on the roster for training camp.  The other 21 players reported to Commerce City today for the first day of fitness tests, with training starting this weekend.  I'm sure today's additions will join them shortly.  The four rounds of the Supplemental Draft will be held on Thursday, the Rapids have a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

Here's our current roster as we enter camp.

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens

Defenders:
Diego Calderon
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (on loan from Atlanta through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong
Eric Avila - Unsigned Re-Entry draftee
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon
Kevin Harbottle
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (on loan from Rosario Central through 2013)
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill

Rapids Make Harbottle Signing Official

Announced this morning before teh draft, the long-rumored signing of Chilean winger Kevin Harbottle is official.  More in the wrap-up of the draft tonight.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Busy Times In Commerce City

Lots of news so lets get to it.

First and foremost, DSG Park will host the first home World Cup Qualifier for the U.S. this year.  USA - Costa Rica on March 22nd.  Ticket details are yet to be announced but they have said that Rapids full-season ticket holders will get a pre-sale before they're available to the general public.  Great job by the Rapids FO to land this game!

Now if anyone is reading this in Colorado and isn't planning on going to the game, I've got two tickets to the Great Big Sea concert at the Boulder Theater on March 22nd for sale that I'd love to move ASAP!

Secondly, big trade from the Rapids today, sending Ginger Ninja Jeff Larentowicz and the 30th pick in the draft to Chicago for the 11th pick tomorrow, an international spot next year, and allocation money (reportedly $75K).  The 30th pick was the one we got in trade from Chicago for Wells Thompson, so its essentially Larentowicz and Thompson for the 11th pick, allocation money, and an international spot.

Good, not great, trade from the Rapids FO.  The rumor of Larentowicz being on the trading block has been out there for a while.  He's coming off a less-than-stellar season and it was fairly obvious he didn't fit in the upcoming plans.  That left Colorado trading from a point of weakness.  That said, getting the 11th pick when we already have the 6th pick should get us 2 players that should contribute almost immediately.  Allocation money is always helpful, and hopefully we use the international slot.

Thirdly, that trade looks better if the trade Ives reported is accurate, we send the rights to Eric Avila (acquired in the Re-Entry Draft) to Chivas USA in return for the rights to Nick LaBrocca.  LaBrocca played here from 2005-2009, being traded to Toronto the day before the 2010 season started for Marvell Wynne.  One of our better trades.  He's a good box-to-box midfielder that might fit well between Martin Rivero and Hendry Thomas.  Nick was an All-Star for Chivas in 2011.  If we really got him for just the rights to Avila, that's a steal.  He may or may not be currently under contract, but the Rapids have shown in the past that when they trade for an out-of-contract player they make sure they can sign him so I'm not worried about getting him.

So going into the draft tomorrow, here's our current roster.  Right now we have picks 6, 11, and 25 in the 38 pick/2 round draft.  I'll update tomorrow as I'm able to, with a full recap tomorrow night.


Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens

Defenders:
Diego Calderon
Chris Klute (on loan from Atlanta through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong
Eric Avila - Unsigned
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill
Martin Rivero (on loan from Rosario Central through 2013)
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

2013 Schedule Released

The 2013 schedule was released today with no real surprises.  Some odds and ends:

  • The Rapids have 8 nationally televised games, 6 on NBC Sports and 2 on UniMas.
  • RMC matches on Mar 16th (@FSL), Apr. 6th, and Aug 3rd (both home).  If the same team wins the first two games the RMC will be awarded in April.
  • That April 16th game is part of the first MLS Rivalry Week where 8 of the matchups will be rivalries.
  • Its also one of two games not yet confirmed to be in Direct Kick, I'm guessing because Altitude is still figuring out its NHL TV schedule.
  • Only 1 non-Saturday home game (other than the 4th of July), Jamesons Night on Thursday, Aug 21st.
  • The opponent for the annual 4th of July game is NY.
  • 3 straight home games between 5/25 and 6/15 followed by 3 straight road games from 6/19 to 6/29.  Otherwise no more than 2 in a row home or away the rest of the season.
  • Only one 3 game week.  6/15-23 against  San Jose, @Chicago, and @Portland.
  • All of September and October are Western Conference games for the final playoff push.  It could come down to finishing with back-to-back games against Vancouver (home then away).
  • All but 1 of the March, April, and October home games are warmer Saturday afternoon games.  October 5th is a Saturday night game for TV.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Wynne Re-Signed, Possibly Harbottle As Well?

Marvell at the Cat Care Society in Lakewood, where we adopted our cat

Today the Rapids made the official announcement of Marvell Wynne being re-signed that Tim Hinchey tweeted before the holidays.  The other news is that they have, according to MLSSoccer.com's Chris Bianchi, also signed attacking midfielder Kevin Harbottle from Chile but there's been no official announcement or comment from the team.

Harbottle is 22 years old and has been playing professionally in Chile since 2008.  His contract with Chilean powerhouse Universidad Catolica was up at the end of December so he'd be a free transfer.  He has 93 total professional appearances with 22 goals.  He's also played for Chile's U-20 team and was capped once for the Chile National Team in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup 2010 warm-up.

Monday, January 7, 2013

News & Notes - Jan 7th, 2013

Just another grab bag of items.

  • The Hendry Thomas re-signing was made official today.
  • The full schedule is expected on Wednesday.
  • Edson Buddle was called up for January's Camp Cupcake Nats camp.  This is not the player pool that will face Honduras in the first World Cup Qualifier but there's a good chance a handful of players from this camp will be on that roster.
  • Denver is one of 3 finalists along with KC and Salt Lake to host the March 22nd qualifier against Costa Rica.  Final announcement will be made this week.  Of course I have concert tickets that night...

Saturday, January 5, 2013

News & Notes - Jan 5th, 2013

A couple of notes from yesterday and today:

  • Rapids re-sign Steward Ceus - We'll have to see how much they ended up paying him, but Ceus seems like a good solid backup and worth re-signing.
  • Training camp opens January 17th - Same day as the Superdraft, as normal the first couple of days will be physicals and tests while Bravo and Pareja are at the draft.  I assume actual training with the coaches would start on Monday the 21st.
  • Tony Cascio will return to Connecticut for Soccer Night in Newtow on on Tuesday - Cascio played at U Conn before being drafted last year by the Rapids and is returning to help Newtown cope with the tragedy.  Great job Tony!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Diego Calderon Officially Signed

The long rumored signing of Calderon was made official today.  There was also a rumor of a couple of other players being loaned to the Rapids but the team clarified that it was incorrect.  So the current roster is below.


Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens

Defenders:
Diego Calderon
Chris Klute (on loan from Atlanta through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong
Eric Avila - Unsigned
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon
Jeff Larentowicz
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill
Martin Rivero (on loan from Rosario Central through 2013)
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Scarf of the Month

All quiet on the field so I thought I'd point out this new off-field promo.  The Rapids are doing a Scarf of the Month promo this year.  Each month of the season there will be a new scarf design for sale.  Each scarf will sell for $25, but you can pre-order the first 4 for $70 until Sunday, a 30% savings.  There will be either 8 or 9 scarves (depending if they make one for November, which usually only has playoffs) so it will cost you between $170 (8 scarves with pre-order) and $225 (9 scarves with no pre-order) to get them all.  My reactions to the first 4:

March - Would have been better as a true old-school Rapids green scarf with an original logo.
April - Best of the bunch, the Colorado flag looks good.
May - Meh, and I'm not real fond of the One Club motto
June - Too similar to last year's Class VI scarf

Between the cost, meh designs, and lack of display room (I've already got 22 scarves hanging on my walls plus the one I wear to games) I'll pass on collecting everyone and just pick up the April one separately.  If you're into scarf collecting though this might be a good deal for you.