I wish there was a easy answer for this, but when an organization doesn't have a winning ethos (demanded from top on down), ownership that just needs "good enough" every couple of years and to use an old term Dip and Dots who buy tickets regardless of the on field product. There is just zero incentive that will get us a top team fielded every year. I also don't understand why we sell players for so much less that other MLS teams. I bought the argument that it made players more willing to come here because the team will help "get them to Europe" but not so sure on this anymore.
When the teams under Paul Bravo STILL have more playoff wins than the Padraig teams, its a really low bar to clear. I bet you could hire away some guy from a USL organization that could do a better job. They're already used to working with limited resources, so its not like working for the Rapids would be that alien to them. They also probably have lower salary demands...which is something the cheap f**ks at KSE would find appealing.
Probably because that's all teams are offering. I don't think we took less for Vines or Bassett than another offer (and remember, for a sale the player has to agree, which is why Bassett isn't playing for Benfica).
If there's anybody excited about the lack of incoming talent, it would have to be the young players right out of the academy. With the present state of this team, it's not like every position is two deep in proven professionals like a lot of teams. Here's hoping some guys take advantage of the opportunity.
Turns out the Rapids did get a deal done yesterday. We had the Discovery rights on Jonathan Gonzalez, who Minnesota signed on loan, so they had to trade for the rights. No details yet, but it will be something like $50-$75K of GAM.1555725752888279040 is not a valid tweet id
Imagine needing massive reinforcements (and if we’re being honest, starting quality reinforcements) on your back line, having a bag full of cash laying around, and seeing FC Cincinnati sweep up Matt Miazga on a free transfer and a TAM deal lol. I’m not upset with a Nicholson, Gutierrez, and Priso (in fact I’m very big in Priso’s future), but we needed more help to be competitive the rest of this year and moving forward. This summer was not the summer we needed. But the rest of the league sure did make some moves: MLS Secondary Transfer Window:- Lorenzo Insigne 🇮🇹- Federico Bernardeschi 🇮🇹- Gareth Bale 🏴- Giorgio Chiellini 🇮🇹- Hector Herrera 🇲🇽- Cucho Hernandez 🇨🇴- Christian Benteke 🇧🇪- Riqui Puig 🇪🇸- Denis Bouanga 🇬🇦- Emiliano Rigoni 🇦🇷- Nuno Santos 🇵🇹- Miazga & Moore 🇺🇸⭐️— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) August 5, 2022
Well at least with this squad we won't lose any players to the World Cup this year! Oh, wait...<insert rant about FIFA corruption and Qatar here>
Nothing really new to most who read the threads here, but here is a piece that gives a bit of an explanation where Pádraig is coming from with his dealings for the Rapids - Since becoming Colorado Rapids EVP in 2018, Pádraig Smith has taken on a forensically-detailed approach to roster building and has shown the capacity to dream big.To understand how, one only needs to look at his experiences which shaped him. #Rapids96https://t.co/Fp3FdYFtap— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) August 7, 2022
Really don't know what to think after last week except that I'm glad we got 6 points from it. We scored 9 goals we conceded 7 goals We beat 2 teams we really should beat. NYRB playing their 4th match in <2 weeks and their 3rd match since the previous Rapids match. MNU missing 4 starters, including their 2 key attackers. So it's important that we win these matches, and we did, so . But we only scored 4 goals Saturday because St Clair gave us 2 (and Zardes showed his work rate). And there's no way we should have conceded 7 goals in those 2 matches, including very early in each one. So we're still in the playoff race, but we're going to have to be much better, especially defensively, to make the playoffs, much less actually advance for once.
Responding to this here instead of the game thread as I feel my comment is more about the season than the specific game: Our set piece defending has felt miserable this year, and sure enough, the stats back it up... According to whoscored . com the Rapids have allowed 11 set piece goals this year so far, which is tied for 3rd worst in the league. In terms of percentage, that works out to 30.5% of all our goals allowed, which is only trailing Columbus at 34.6%. Worth noting here that Columbus has only allowed 26 total goals compared to our 36 total. On top of that, we've also allowed 6 PK goals this year (Yarbrough is 0/5 and Abe is 0/1). So if you add those in, then that's 17 goals - or 47% of our goals coming directly from a dead ball situation this season. In 2021, Rapids only allowed 4 set piece goals (best in the league) and only 5 if you include PKs. Those 4 goals also only accounted for 11% of our total goals allowed. Considering we're supposed to be "set-piece wizards" on the offense, you'd think we'd have better defending of set pieces this year. If we continue our set piece (non PK) scoring / defending pace, we'll be on track to score 13 set piece goals scored and allow 16(!!!) set piece goals. Our worst year for set piece defending (not including PKs)? The worst I could find on WhoScored was 2014*, when we allowed 14 set piece goals. Those 14 goals only accounted for 22% of our 62 allowed though - so from both a total number of goals allowed, and from a percentage look, we could potentially have our worst set piece defending year ever. *The WhoScored database only tracked set piece goals back through 2013, so it could be that we had a worse year than that, I just don't know where to look. Ironically, Chris Sharpe was hired at the beginning of the 2014, however, I'm not sure when he took over the set piece coaching.*
Cole Bassett is being loaned to Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie. It’s been rumored for weeks. But it sounds like it’s officially going to happen. Cole’s had a very good preseason for Feyenoord - scored a could of goals, including one today in a closed door friendly - but their midfielder is packed. Not sure how this loan works. Then loan would have to be between the Rapids and Fortuna with Feyenoord retaining the rights to sign him on a permanent deal. Or Feyenoord has activated the purchase, now owns him outright and is negotiating the loan between the cub and Fortuna Sittard.
I realize I posted this to the "not Rapids related thread" but actually it should be here. We have no MLS All Stars, the team we are playing, Columbus; has one; Darlington Nagby. I hope this helps us. I'd forgotten he was at Columbus now, has he been any good?
Sorry, slow day at work in front of computer, but I can't leave. I noticed Rubio's 11 goals have him tied for 7th in the league (with 4 other guys); when is the last time the Rapids had someone finish in the top 10 in scoring?
Kei Kamara was 8th in 2019 with 14 goals. Rubio also scored 11 goals that season as well. Then you have to dip deeeeeep into the Rapids lore if you want to see some good goal scoring accolades: Before Kei was Omar Cummings in 4th with 14 goals in 2010 Conor Casey's 16 in 2009 was good enough for 2nd in the league (and best goal scoring year a Rapids player has had) Jeff Cunningham scored 12 in 2005 which was good enough for 3rd in the league. John Spencer and Mark Chung both finished in the top 10 in 2003. Spencer's 14 goals put him T-3rd, and Chung's 11 had him T-8th In 2002 Chris Carrieri, Chris Henderson, and and Mark Chung all scored 11 goals which put them all T-8th John Spencer's 14 goals in 2001 put him T-3rd Jorge Dely Valdes scored 10 in 1999, putting him T-9th And last but not least, Wolde Harris' 13 goals in 1998 put him T-8th Rubio is on pace for 16.5 goals this season, so he could potentially tie or beat Conor Casey's year as well if he keeps up his goal scoring rate!
Conor's run in 2008 through his Achilles injury in 2011 gets overlooked by a lot of fans, but in that time the only player in MLS that scored more goals was Landon Donovan. He's almost certainly going to break the record for Goals + Assists. Currently held by both Mark Chung and John Spencer in back-to-back years at 21. Rubio is currently at 16 with 11 goals and 5 assists. That doesn't even count his unofficial assists last week where two of his shots were spilled into Zardes' path for the put away.
Interesting stat - Since the MAK trade TFC: 1.33 pts/game COL: 1.83 pts/game TFC also lost the Canadian Championship in PKs. Small sample size (6 games) but...
And the Rapids did so for the most part without Jack Price. I think a part of this recent success is the ascendance of Zardes and also the improved play of Barrios. And B Acosta has also played well. Still it's interesting. Supposedly the Rapids didn't get much in the short run out of the MAP trade, just Ralph Priso. I wouldn't have guessed this. TFC n has spent a lot in bringing in new the Italians. Maybe it will soon start to to turn around for them.
I haven’t watched any games with him there yet, but all reports say he’s done very well in the middle for them - which should be no surprise. I will also say, he took a pretty bad tackle last night. Liga MX player came in from behind sweeping his legs out. In the ensuing collision, the Liga MX players knee landed on Nagbe’s ankle and rolled it pretty bad. Nagbe - understandably - looked to be in pretty serious pain, but was able to walk it off after a little bit of time and returned to the game. It’s an ankle though, so who knows if there’ll be any lingering side effects and Columbus will want to take it easy with him against us, or if it was merely a simple roll and he’ll be fine. I’m more worried about Zelarayan finding Cucho in a 1v1 in space against Wilson…..
Also worth noting that since the MAK trade the Rapids have been in a back 4 in all but 1 half against NYRB and those final 5min or so against MNUFC. Trends of things to come?
Who was no. 13 last week? He came on at half time I think. Just answered my own question, I'm so used to going to Wikipedia for roster (which is what I do in the stadium, he wasn't there yet) that I forget go to club site. That was the new guy, Guite... He was really good. A lot of zip. Worried he plays similar role to Price though.