Any news on where Balboa's going to spend this season? If he'd take a pay cut to come home, the Rapids should jump at the chance to have him on the bench.
MetroScum cut him. No other MLS team has a compelling reason to pay a significant salary to an aging defender coming off an injury season. I wouldn't be surprised if he landed an A-League job, but I suspect retirement is coming.
If he is indeed planning to retire, I think the Rapids should do what the Broncos did for Steve Atwater, sign him for a game, let him run out in a uniform and honor him for his contribution to the team. Marcelo will always be known as a Rapid, after all, how many games did he play for the Metros? I don't even know, but not many. Marcelo was our marquee player for 6-7 years and the Rapids would do good to honor him. Not only that, it builds tradition and gives fans a sense of history, something that every team in the MLS should cultivate. This costs the Rapids next to nothing, but allows the fans to pay tribute to a favorite and give Marcelo closure on a stellar career. I can't imagine he has a very good taste in his mouth regarding his last year in the MLS with his injury and all. This will bring a fitting end to one of the greatest all-time players for the USA (definitely part of any all-time best 11 you could put together).
He played about 8 minutes of the last game of the season, that was it. However it happens, if the Rapids can bring him back, they should. If they can't re-adjust his salary to make it financially feasible for him to sit on the bench, then they should find some other way. If he wants to retire, then you're right, they should sign him for a day and let him retire as a Rapid. Or, hire him as an assistant coach, or maybe even better, as a PR guy ("Public face of the Rapids" kind of thing). Playing 8 minutes for the Mutts is no way for the greatest Rapid of all time to end his MLS career.
Saw him playing for the Colorado School of Mines about a week ago in a college 7v7 tournament at Metro State University. Don't know why he was playing with them, and he didn't look too interested, as the college guys outworked him the whole time. Hit a couple of lasers on goal, though.
I have heard of some Balboa spottings around Boulder in a fitness club. Sounds like he might be relocating to the area. Maybe he could coach the Rapids Reserves or something.
I didn't realize he ever really left. He was at at least one (non-Metros) Rapids game last year, probably more.
It would be a big check mark in the "Doing the right thing" category to Bring Celo back in some capacity. Great player, well liked by the fans, exellent P.R. in general. Mr. Anschutz; let's find a way to bring him back into the fold.
Do people retire numbers in soccer? If so, Balboa's 17 would be a strong candidate. Otherwise, let's have a Marcelo tribute game ala Atwater and retire the guy. He was the blood and guts of the team for years and deserves to be honored.
#17 I think this is a GREAT idea for Balboa, the Rapids, Denver, Colorado, The United States, and God.(Opps! he hasn't player for God yet...). Balboa is an articulate, bilingual ambassador of the game for our bilingual area and for USA soccer. He could do TV, be a spokesperson, be in ad's... Let's hope the Rapids do the right thing here. RLH P.s. Plus, he and Trittschuh could suit up if our central back line needs depth. These two are on my "all-time Rapids " team with "the Hammer" Hamlett, oh yeah, and Shak (joke).
He deserves to be honored as he did put in some good years of service to the club. But was he so great, so amazing that no one should ever wear his jersey again? Don't think so. He seems like a good guy and was a great player, but I'm not so tied down to the Balboa bandwagon that I think he's achieved God-like status. Have a Marcelo Balboa Day at a game, honor him at halftime along with a highlight reel of his play as a Rapid, and leave it at that.
How about.... nobody can wear his number until they replicate the bicycle kick he pulled off. O.K. dumb idea, but finding a way to ensure the memory of the player is the whole idea.
Works for me, kind of a "once you are big enough to wear the man's shoes" deal. Seriously, a Marcelo Balboa day seems like the best thing and the right thing to do.
Balboa is special. He has been an excellent player in MLS and for the Nats. He also is a great guy. He's humble and thoughtful. The Rapids should do something special to recognize him. I bet he has a future in coaching. He has the right demeanor -- calm and personable.
Let's look at this realistically. Who got rid of 'celo? Hanky and Spanky (Counce). How likely is it that they will now honor him? Just a jaded fan that would LOVE to see Marcelo honored (but won't be holding my breath).
What's Counce's email address. If we all email him with the idea , I'm sure he'll see the light. Hmm, it sounded like a good idea in my head. Now I'm thinking he doesn't care how we feel. Seriously though, do we all have to count on him to think of this or is there a way to voice our opinions to someone other than the choir? Garrett
i'll email him about it. that's a good idea. we have to push them and tell them what we want. otherwise they just assume it doesn't matter to us.
If he's anything like his father (rumors are he isn't, but if he is) than that calm and personable part of him goes down the drain and he will literally settle for nothing but the best at all times, every time. His father coached me during my U-17 and U-18 years and that guy was tough. He'd be on your back everyday. Nothing but the best, and his father was the best teacher I've ever had. In my opinion, even if he is like his dad, Celo would be an awesome coach to have in your staff.
If Balboa were amenable to it and Counce felt it would sell a lot of tickets, it'll happen. Strong ticket sales will supercede any other opinion felt by our front office.