Terrace blog Player Ratings for Colorado Rapids – Seattle Sounders

(Cross-post from blogs.denverpost.com/rapids)

Every time a Rapids player went to ground, fans of Seattle Sounders FC waited with bated breath.

Brian Mullan’s first trip to Seattle since breaking the leg of Sounders forward Steve Zakuani in April of 2011 on a hard slide tackle didn’t quite end the way the Rapids hoped. To be sure, the Rapids looked dangerous at times but never quite threatened the goal.

The Sounders really only had three opportunities to score, but a header scored on a set piece by Zach Scott proved decisive as the Sounders took down the boys in burgundy 1-0 in front of a crowd of 38,000-plus in Seattle. The Rapids now have nine points on six games on the season.

The game started physically and ended chippy, with four players picking up yellows. A neutral observer couldn’t help but think these teams don’t particularly like each other.

When it comes down to style of play, the Rapids continue to endure growing pains in the installation of their 4-3-3. They play better, and look more comfortable, when they play the way Manager Oscar Pareja wants them to –- technically, with possession and with short passes along the ground.

The Sounders were better in possession, better technically and better on the scoreboard, where it really counts. And for once, the Rapids can’t blame the outcome of this game on Baldoermo Toledo, the referee.

Now, for the ratings, on the other side of the jump:

Colorado Rapids shirt sponsor speculation

Nary a peep from the Colorado Rapids front office on a shirt sponsor yet, as @Craig_de_Aragon and @teddy_montoya have pointed out.

True, us Rapids faithful have been waiting with baited breath for … oh, 15 years for a shirt sponsor. So what’s another 2 weeks? or days?

Well, when you win your first trophy, your cup fills up pretty fast. Count me among those calling for the announcement already. It’s not worth saving a few nickels over, Front Office. Let’s get it already.

To me and most of the other Rapids blogosphere, it’s a choice between only two: Coors, or Chipotle. I’m cool with either. As long as they don’t start calling us the Colorado Burritos.

Colorado Rapids new away jerseys

Here are the new Rapids away jerseys:

They’ve pretty much been universally panned by the Twitter community, although they are pretty much your standard road whites.

In my opinion, they’re ugly. Only thing that could save them is a Coors jersey sponsorship. Coors Original, please. Not Coors Light.

Robbie Savage to Vancouver saga continues

Picture Robbie Savage in his bathroom, staring at the mirror over his sink. His long, flowing blonde locks are gently tossed aside as he stares intently into his own eyes. He splashes some cold water on his face.

He’s wringing his hands, thinking about his wife, his kids, his friends in the East Midlands. He’s thinking about his adopted hometown, a firmly working class part of England, something that speaks to him more than any beautiful city, stadium or mountains can. He’s thinking about that statue of Taylor and Clough, thinking about what it takes to become more than just a hero, but a local legend.

He’s thinking about why he should be entitled to a swan song in America.

Why not Robbie Savage?

Whatever Robbie’s decision happens to be, you have to at least give him credit for all the brow furrowing. The purported transfer from Derby County to Vancouver Whitecaps is obviously a tough decision for him to make. Should he remain at Derby, his playing time will be reduced for the rest of this season. You can imagine what that does to a playmaker. He’s used to being in the thick of the action, and if it takes a move to MLS to continue that, so be it.

For me, his decision hits home. I have no stake in Vancouver, aside from my obvious ties to America. I do have a stake in Derby and a stake in Robbie Savage. So you can understand why, when a few Derby supporters call the quality of MLS “garbage” and “a retirement home,” I’m irked. We don’t play proper football over here, they say. But cracks develop in their logic. Case in point, Billy Davies (who I wouldn’t quote unless it suited my needs) knows there’s quality here.

I love the Colorado Rapids, and I want to see MLS succeed. I love Derby, and want to see them succeed. Part of me is flattered. English football supporters wouldn’t use such strong language to describe MLS if they weren’t somewhat threatened by its increasing success.

I hope Robbie stays with DCFC. I really do.

But if he comes to America, I can’t wait to see him at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Colorado Rapids select Eddie Ababio

With the 18th selection in the 2011 MLS Superdraft – Eddie Ababio, University of North Carolina.

A defender who can get involved in the attack, he’s a good pick up for the Rapids who are looking to add depth in front of the fixture congestion they’ll no doubt be facing next year. He’s Ghanian, loves Chelsea FC and seems to be a work-in-progress.

Here’s a round of information on him:

His UNC Player Page

Ababio: The Next Freddy Adu

His USMNT U17 page

A highlight reel from Ababio on You Tube

Mention Freddy Adu and I cringe. Yuck.

Robbie Savage to MLS Vancouver Whitecaps?

Is Robbie Savage coming to America? In an interview with Radio Derby, he said he has been in contact with them.

He also said that the decision is the Derby’s. If they release him from his contract, it sounds like a done deal.

Wow, color me surprised.

Props to @colinbloomfield from Radio Derby and Mirror Football for the news

International Break: Rapids push and Derby needs help in net

At the international break (which is not a break at all for members of the MLS, unless you’ve been called up by your int’l side, which is not all that common for MLS players. I digress.):

Rapids need KC to lose tonight to wrap up that final playoff spot. Still lots to be decided on who will get what seed, but a KC loss gives the Rapids the chance to look forward. If they started today, we’d get a home and home with the Galaxy and one more chance to scream at Landon Donovan before he inevitably heads overseas, this time on a permanent move. Also, never miss out on a chance to shout down at Beckham. Also, maybe the last time you’ll ever see Omar in a Rapids uniform. (Thanks, Denver Post! What would we do without you? Oh, by the way, they play SOCCER at that monstrosity on Quebec? I thought it was an art nouveau Red Rocks, on the prairie.)

Derby County is firmly mid-table, sitting on 12 points, and as @overhere3 pointed out, both 4 points from the relegation zone and 4 points from the final playoff spot. There are 36 fixtures left in league play, so plenty of time to establish an identity. Bueno has been playing spot on, and Kuqi is looking to extend his time at Pride Park. Of particular concern for the Rams is the health of Stephen Bywater, who injured his wrist in the last fixture prior to the break. Frankie Fielding could come over on emergency loan from Blackburn – a true option outside of Derby’s current number two, Saul Deeney.

Plenty to keep football fans busy over the next 2 weeks.

Rapids beat Columbus, more from No Fan Alone

In case you didn’t hear, the Raps beat the Crew 1-0 at DSGP on Saturday (I was out of town for a wedding). Among the things I missed – Pablo getting a red for retaliation, Casey being subbed off the pitch.

The Rapids have 19 points on 10 games, and stand alone in 3rd in the West and 5th in the 16-team table. They trail RSL by one point with a game in hand.

Could this finally be the year RSL doesn’t kick them out of the playoff chase on the last date of the year?

Donna Feldman, from No Fan Alone (and a heckuva soccer writer), has a complete wrap up. Read it here.

Red Bulls advertising new player

These have started to pop up around the NY Metro Area. Who could it be?

Some people have said it’s Thierry Henry. Others, Tevez. Still others think Jozy is coming back.

My opinion? The Red Bulls haven’t signed anybody, and are just hoping to land one big name. A clear case where marketing comes before signing.

Here it is:

Come to think about it, it looks a lot like someone who could do a disappearing act in the middle of a game, an anonymous man. Ricardo Clark, maybe?

Rapids out of US Open Cup before it starts … again

For the second post in a row – I’m not surprised.

See, this Rapids squad is schizophrenic. They play hard, they don’t play hard. They generate chances, then they don’t generate chances. They play clean football, then they are booked four times when they’re behind (including a straight red to Danny Earls late).

As for the Red Bulls B squad, there are plenty of bright spots – including Tchani and Chinn, both of whom looked dangerous in attack.

The good news is now the Rapids don’t have anything to distract them from their ultimate goal. They need to make the playoffs and they need to play 90 minutes a game. Only being involved in one competition for the rest of the season should gain their focus.

Read the entire report here at ColoradoRapids.com.