Rolfe came off the bench today, but was sent off for kicking at an opponent after being tackled. Here are highlights of the play and his red card -> http://www.socceroverthere.com/?p=8786
Yes, Rolfe has not been doing all too well the past few games... perhaps he has been trying a bit too hard, and Horsens is a tough and rather physical-annoying team, that easily could push you over the edge... so now Rolfe is as minimum going to serve a two-match ban .
Looks to me like Rolfe was clearly tackled and fouled from behind as he went into the box. I can understand his reaction even though it was unfortunate. What was really unfortunate was that the clown from Horsens didn't get a card for his foul nor did Aalborg get the pk or kick. Poor officiating.....
Rolfe has now got tough competition from a quite unexpected side. 19 year old local kid, Kasper Kusk, son of former AaB coach Søren Kusk, got the change in the line up in the two matches where Rolfe has been serving his ban. Kusk has been performing very well and has been announced as player of the match in both matches. This, of course, has made the young Kusk a darling among the supporters very fast. For me, this is goodbye to Rolfe. Rolfe is far more expensive than a 19 year old local kid. They are not very similar players though. Kusk is more about speed, dribbling and crossing while Rolfe has his amazing shots. However, Rolfe has had too many injuries. I'd prefer Kusk in the line up from now on and then hope to sell Rolfe to Brøndby or the MLS in the summer for a small profit. Rolfe is a fantastic player, but with AaB's financial circumstances, there's just more sense in evolving young players.
Rolfe actually has been completely injury-free since last May with the exception of his ankle injury which cost him one game. His absence from the starting lineup has had little or nothing to do with his health situation. Hopefully, we can get him back to the MLS this summer--that would be great for him.
That's not true. Rolfe has missed matches due to injuries in both the fall and in the spring since May last year.
Rolfe signed by Chicago Fire, coming back to MLS . Good move for the Fire, will be very curious to see what kind of salary Rolfe is getting when MLS releases the salary table.
Rolfe's 2011/2012 season at AaB ends with him having played in 21 games (18 starts), 4 goals, and a red card. AaB are currently in 7th.
Yes, that pretty much sums it up... Due to financial problems, AaB have been forced to rely more on their "young guns" in midfield and attack this season, and they have really surprised and impressed, especially their young topscorer Nicklas Helenius, but also Kasper Kusk and the even younger Lucas Andersen who is being watched closely by Ajax Amsterdam... and they play the same positions as Rolfe, so considering his high wages and that he also has been injured a bit too often in the past, the writing was on the wall that it was time for Rolfe to leave the club... and it was apparently Rolfe himself who made the request of a quick return to MLS, and AaB had no reason to stand in his way, considering their financial situation and the highly talented players they now got. .