Badji and Wilson were the last two I added to the list. I put Badji on there because, I think, as an out of contract player who qualifies for free agency selecting him doesn't get Charlotte anything. Badji would still be free to sign anywhere in the league. So I don't thin Charlotte would waste a pick on him. Wilson was just the best option of the remaining players. If something changes (there's a rule protecting U22 players like Esteves, we sell/trade somebody, etc.) and we have a free slot to protect somebody I'd pull him back first. Namli is on a loan that ends at the end of the season, and is expensive. I don't think we're likely to bring him back and if Charlotte wants to own his rights instead of us, no real loss.
Neither Acosta or Vines starting v Jamaica today. Kaye will be playing in a cold and snowy Edmonton tonight v Mexico.
This is what I'm seeing on Accuweather at the moment for Thanksgiving afternoon in Commerce City. Looks a bit chilly, but hopefully no snow will be falling during the match.
Goalkeeper William Yarbrough joined the @ColoradoRapids last season and has quickly become one of the best in Major League Soccer (@MLS) 👀⚽ #9sports #Rapids96 STORY: https://t.co/YvRlOWMUq1 by @JacobRTobey pic.twitter.com/ufmg4LJ5on— 9NEWS Sports Denver (@9NEWSSports) November 17, 2021
Man. I don’t know what to say Please have a read… 🙏🏽❤️If you don’t have the means to donate, a simple repost/retweet means the world to us. Thank you 🙏🏽https://t.co/yZgSNk8c9v pic.twitter.com/ohlSuY5o2Q— Kortne Ford (@KortFord) November 17, 2021 Praying for his mom, him, and his family…
CONCACAF Champions League Info: Draw: Dec 15th Round of 16 matches: Feb. 15-17th (away), Feb. 22-24 (at the Dick) Quarterfinals: Mar. 8-10, 15-17 Semis: Apr. 5-7, 12-14 Final: Apr. 26-28, May 3-5 Rapids host the second leg in the Round of 16. Hosts for the quarterfinals will be based on the random draw (winners of matchups 1, 3, 5, and 7 in the Round of 16 will host the second leg). Hosts for the semis and finals will be based on the results of the prior rounds (better record gets the second leg at home) https://www.concacaf.com/en/champio...22-scotiabank-concacaf-champions-league-draw/
River Place Academy product Olaf Herschel to #Rapids96 is almost a done deal, per source. Herschel said goodbye to his teammates in Argentina today and could arrive in CO before the new year although a transfer would not officially go through until Jan. First Reported by here.— Inside Rapids (@insiderapids) November 18, 2021
Danny Wilson stole the show 😂 Get to know a bit about our players' hometowns in The Global Game, presented by @WesternUnion! 🏡🌐 pic.twitter.com/p1zMS9Hfbw— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 18, 2021
All the best to Ford and also to Sanchez. Vincente always impressed me as a player who "coached up" and encouraged his fellow players. He quickly became a favorite of mine. I wonder if he has any interest is coaching or scouting. I would love to have him associated with the Rapids in some kind of role.
Bad news, no additional protection for the youth initiative players. Good news, only the teams that lost somebody to Austin are exempt from this, so less chance we get somebody picked. MLS announces Expansion Draft parameters:-Dec 14-Teams can protect 12 players (HGs under 25 + generation Adidas auto-protected and don't take slots)-RBNY, San Jose, Nashville, Galaxy, Orlando exemptGonna be a lot of interesting options for Charlotte FC to select five from.— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 19, 2021
Sadly I am unable to make the playoff game on thanksgiving as I’ll be in Canada. I have one season ticket seat in section 109 row 8. No charge (or beer me at some point), transfer on Altitude app. Lmk by DM.
Who to protect and who not to protect is going to be interesting. I’d like to think I have an educated guess but with this strong, deep team it won’t be easy. Decisions are coming - big decisions - in the offseason. I’m most interested in seeing what happens with this season’s loaned out players. Those include: Anderson, Rodriguez, Larraz, Toure, Yapi, Edwards, Ford, Andre Rawls, and Mayaka, Just tracking these guys all season, I don’t think any of these guys put a wrong foot down. I am confident in saying they all had varying degrees of success in the USL Championship. Looking around the league, I don’t think any MLS club had the same luck and success with young players being loaned out. They all played and all contributed when called upon. It’s fantastic and really speaks to the depth and future the club is building. Of those loanees mentioned, two of them IMO, are must haves on the Senior roster next season. Those two are Anderson and Mayaka. Anderson, I think, is a shoe-in for USL Championship Best XI at RB. Incredible season. He should be challenging Rosenberry. As much as I like Rosenberry, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him unprotected. He’d be a great pickup for Charlotte. Andersen is ready. I have no doubt about his abilities. The other player is Mayaka. I know his international status is an obstacle. I get that but the kid can play. He is commander and destroyer in the middle of the park. Just thinking out loud I suspect there’s a chance Acosta draws some interest abroad. No evidence to support that, just a hunch. I suspect Bassett will, too. If those two go, Mayaka would be a very good compliment to Price and Kaye. Edwards is another one I’d like to see integrated into the Senior team but he’s less of a shoe-in than the two above. The three games I saw down in the Springs, he demonstrated everything you want in a CB. He was commanding, demanding, positional sound, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and a monster in the air. It translates to MLS and I think he could be a solid CB. He reminds me of the guy that took him under his wing while at Wolfsburg, John Brooks. Edwards ceiling isn’t that high but he has the makeup of a guy that could have a long career as a “Steady Eddie” type in MLS. I know Ford is protracted but I think he will be back and ready to be in the rotation. I was curious and a little nervous to see how he’d play down in San Antonio. From all accounts, he’s done exceptional well and really solidified SAFC’s defense. I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s helped SAFC to the Western Conference Finals and will play a huge role tomorrow night for them. To be honest, I’d be happy bringing Ford and Edwards into the fold and letting Abubakar go unprotected or trading him. His up and down play can’t be trusted long term, IMO. Toure, Yappi, Larraz, and Rodriguez could all benefit from season long loans to USL Championship sides. Preferably somewhere close…. Switchbacks or another USLC Western Conference club. All of them need that seasoning and may not be quite ready to contribute on a weekly basis with the Senior team. The other guy I haven’t mentioned is Andre Rawls. He was solid between the pipes at PHX Rising. I suspect they make a run at him permanently or might be nice trade bait for an MLS club looking for a backup GK. Lots to unpack! Sorry. I’ve just thinking about these loanees this week
Good listen here. The comeback story of @ColoradoRapids head coach Robin Fraser, with a record-setting season. https://t.co/BBdtwLXUMv— John Daley (@CODaleyNews) November 19, 2021
Keep fighting, mama Ford. #FightTogether pic.twitter.com/rPZ2DujUH6— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) November 21, 2021
A successful Ioan ended for Ford as Orange County defeated San Antonio FC in a shootout as the two sides drew 1-1 after 120 minutes of play. OCSC will be playing the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the USL Championship title. Ford played all 120 minutes and was pretty damn good. Former ‘Pid Dillon Powers was MOTM and had a monster of a game for OSCS. With the success of this loan….. I can confidently say Ford is ready to contribute next season. I am excited to welcome him back into the fold. I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s had a helluva journey professionally and personally and deserves to complete that comeback.
Rapids Legend Mac Kandji #OTD 🇺🇸🥇 pic.twitter.com/V6X5t1h9jx— Mac Kandji (@mackandji) November 21, 2021
William Yarbrough's own-goal in Sandy made PTI's annual Turkeys of the Year in today's show. Wilbon ended the "highlight" by asking "where's he playing now?" (the prior highlight was a major league baseball player who's now playing in Korea). To which I responded "in the playoffs as the #1 seed!".
No video yet (I'm fairly certain most here don't want to relive the moment visually anyhow), but for anyone who wants to listen to one of the few times the national sports media mentioned the Rapids this year: Timestamp: 20:47 https://www.espn.com/radio/play/_/id/32693529
Speaking of Mac Kandji....... Bassett, right off the bat, drops his name in this great interview. I don't spoil what he said but it's pretty cool. https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/col...-world-cup-dreams-and-playing-on-thanksgiving
Something to think about, Thursday's playoff game on FOX will be the first English-language broadcast of the Rapids most Denver homes will have gotten since last year's playoff match on ESPN. And prior to that the last English broadcast was the MLS Is Back tournament. This will be the first home match broadcast in English to most of Denver since whenever ESPN/FOX was last here in 2019.
Do you know when the Rapids were last featured on an English OTA television station? MLS Cup 2010 was on ESPN, and the 2016 playoff matches were on ESPN/FS1. I can't figure out what station (if any) broadcasted the '99 USOC final, but I suspect it wasn't OTA. MLS Cup '97 was on ABC, but I haven't been able to find another example. I think this Thursday might be the first time in the 21st century that the Rapids will play on an English OTA network.
For one(?) year in the early 20-teens the Rapids were on the CW affiliate here in Denver for their games. That would likely be the last OTA game. EDIT: Actually, looking back at my notes, it was actually 2010 we were on the CW.
Oops, this is my fault but not specifying national coverage. I guess my actual question is: when was the last time a Rapids match featured nationally on one of the OTA giants (FOX/ABC/NBC/CBS)?