It was a beautiful day, perfect weather, and not a lot of shit in the air this time. We were pouring some 3.2 mimosas! I wish they'd play reserve games on sunday afternoons/mid-mornings more often. Colorado reserves were very loud. Lots of communication. It almost seemed odd juxtaposed with RSL's calmness. I think it has to do with the fact that RSL has an established system whereas Colorado was really struggling to find any rhythm at all. I didn't see a whole lot of positives out of Colorado's reserve players today. And, yes, Elondou does live. But nobody noticed him anyway.... I've also seen a lot of anger expressed at the team, some of it going Pablo's way. I don't think you can really get too mad at him for the current state of affairs. He hasn't had much of a chance to do anything or bring in the players he'd like (if he's even had a chance to really scout since taking over early March). EDIT: PK was bullshit and Javi dove indeed.
Sorry but that excuse doesn't fly with me. Pablo doesn't scout, Bravo does. The Rapids allegedly have been implementing a system and a new style (from the academy to the first team) ever since Gary Smith left. That system shouldn't change drastically from coach to coach and neither should the players they need to implement it. We've already been through one complete rebuild. It is difficult to see any system to this teams offense at the moment.
No, not necessarily but I don't think Pablo bringing in his players is the answer. I judge Pablo from tactics and lineups etc. I think he has been ok but deserves some criticism. The only thing Pablo should be evaluated on with players is either getting the most out of them or not having a good relationship with them and not getting the most out of them.
No, but Pablo leaving top player out of the lineup (O'Neill last night, many many players against Chivas the week before) is. I posted earlier in the thread, but IMO there are 9 clear starters on the team right now, they should be starting every game they can (last night 7 of them started, but Jose Mari was a late scratch due to flu).
Kreis sucked his first year. EDIT: Doesn't mean Pablo will turn out great, but he's going to make mistakes for a while until he figures it out a bit better.
The rapids can't continue to play this way and make the playoffs there's no way both of those things can happen.
I think the flack that both Sturgis and Klute are getting at this point is unjust. Neither has been given consistent minutes they've both just been thrown into the lineup one game and not in it the next. I know that players need to be able to step up when they come in and I don't necessarily think either has done terribly but if we want to see the Sturgis and Klute of last year they need to play constantly and get a rhythm and some chemistry on the field; the change in formation also may be a factor in this I really liked the 4-2-3-1 and thought we played it well. I do agree with LaBrocca at this point, he's probably the one player with the most consistent minutes other than maybe moor and Irwin, and I thought he was solid early on in the season but he's been poor here lately. I honestly don't think he is on his way out. I don't think the rapids plan on shopping him, although I wish we would, we could get a much needed player but I thought he was gone mid way last season and he's still here and I bet you he's back next year unless he goes in the expansion draft.
This is curious as it begs many questions. Is Bravo the right guy? Is Pablo the right guy? Is the approach really the correct one? Does the lofty language of, "style from academy to first team" actually mean anything? Do we have the right players? If we don't is that Bravo's or Pablo's issue? Is this a situation where a coach has the freedom to be effective? Or, is Pablo - the last minute coach signing - setup to fail? I guess, if "the system shouldn't change from coach to coach", then I'd expect the search for the coach to implement the system would reflect that goal(?). What I see instead is a team that couldn't get its act together for a coaching search, settled on a Rapids legend in an appeal to loyalty and the reality that time was out, and is now caught trying to sort out what kind of mess they have. I'm not sure I fault Pablo for the current situation. I can't say that it's appears that he's been setup for success.
What's up with Van De Casteele? Wasn't in the 18 and didn't travel or play with the reserves or anything. I have heard next to nothing about him...
Well even after waiting all this time to post, I still have a bad taste in mouth and Rapids seem firmly on a down slope. I just don't think they will turn it around before WC break and looks to me (based on these bizarro stories on going to train/ fitness with his national team) like Torres has played his last game for Rapids.
Was told before the game when I questioned why O'Neil wasn't playing that he's very badly banged up and needed a rest.
It was pointed out that Panama does have a friendly against Serbia in Chicago on May 31st, so that's why Torres is heading to Panama. It appears the "train/fitness" program is actually happening here in Colorado after his National Team duties.
Continuing with this logic, if Torres has muscle issues that could present some type of injury why would he be allowed to play in a Panama friendly. The Rapids need a better PR guy.
Very good question - I may have been fed a line. His little bro was playing ... maybe he was there to protect him
I guess "feed" was the wrong word ... cuz I just asked and it wasn't an expected question. So that was the answer I was given. Anyway - that's what I was told and since reserve games are dangerous by nature - seems off.
Granted it's only been a few games into the season but the team looks lost no creativty just counter's and long balls praying for the best. I think it's time they start to head to europe in the offseason and start playing with aresnal the entire offseason no break.
Yeah, because what players need is 21 months straight of soccer with no break. And I'm sure Arsenal can fit that into their schedule.