Confirmed by Yoda himself at Tuesday's practice and media luncheon. More on Powell's history and his first experience here in Denver... www.rapidsfan.com
Interesting. I think it is reasonable to view this with a fair amount of scepticism. His recent background has "has-been" written all over it. I'm really worried that the Rapids will rush out and make a bad signing based upon the psychological need to use all our SI slots. I hope the Rapids don't waste their time with a knee-jerk signing. I'd rather watch a young player develop then have to watch an older player decline. By the way Greenie how is it possible for you to remember that Open Cup game. I hope your not kept up at night, tortured by the ghost of bad-games-past.
I agree that the youth should be given the chance in the middle. Why not go with what you've got? If Becks doesn't work out this year bring someone in during the off season, maybe an A-league standout.
Sort of off topic but on a similar note the Rev's board has us trading pretty much anybody in order to obtain Daniel Hernandez. I would love to see us get a quality midfielder, but he's gotta be quality. I don't think DH fits the bill. Otherwise, lets see if these boys can learn to dance.
Ongoing, updated coverage of our newest foreign soap opera at www.rapidsfan.com Latest is that Wednesday's manager is claiming he expects Powell to stay, and that Powell himself is saying he's got a "stronger chance" of staying in Amerca. (thanks as always to USsoccerUK.com for the updates that nobody else seems to deliver)
If that is the case, Hankinson shouldn't even bother talking to him. I only say this because if the guy is having second thoughts, then he obviously isn't 100% committed to coming to MLS. And if he isn't fully committed, I don't want him here for a season only to leave again. I still say the Rapids should make a play for Effenberg. He's a head case but his strong personality (ahem) may get the Rapids' asses in gear. Hanki sure can't get them motivated.
I agree that Powell has a "has been" label hanging around his neck. I wouldn't mind seeing Beckerman given a chance this season either ... but you make him earn it too ... you don't avoid the problem until the off season. What you also need to remember, is this is a 10 team league. You don't really grow players too much in MLS through the starting 11. So you need a player in the midfield and you can't bank it all on Beckerman. So you find another player. In the meantime this is Beckerman's chance to show he belongs. BUT you do NOT say ... oh well Beckerman didn't work out we'll fix it next season. We have the space available, we should find a player for this potential hole NOW! No matter how you feel about Beckerman. He's unproven and until he proves himself in the mold of Pabalo, that's a hole that needs plugging.
Between him and Carrieri, they would have to expand the locker room to accomodate both egos. Seriously though, they should make run at him if they haven't already. He's probably a little overpriced but the worst he could do is say no. Scratch that....the worst he could do is say yes and then three months later say no. But you understand what I'm trying to say.
Clueless in Colorado Hanki should expand his Grimster replacement search to include the homeless on 16th street. If Hanki found a willing subject, he would probably start him over Beckerman.
Robbie Fowler's Mother Is Available I am so tired of this foreigner folderol. I have been excited too many years about the foreigner who would send us to the next level, and had to endure so many fizzles. The MLS is definitely improving each year. Let's forget about foreigners, and improve the local product until real players want to come here!! Until then, it's embarassing to kiss these guys bottoms only to have them turn us down time and again, or show up wearing AARP sweatshirts. Go Raps Smoke the Metros!!!!
Age.... We seem to have this same discussion regularly, from the acquisition of Carlos (instead of a longterm player), to the south americans, to Amokachi, to the recent additions to the team. Adding an established player with one or two years left is only worthwhile if you need that piece-of-the-puzzle to win a championship, or to groom a young star in the making for a year. I see neither in the cards with Powell. A gimpy but talented midfielder who, if all goes perfectly, could make the Rapidz into a championship threat. But the chances of a Grimandi, hamstring, headcase, homesickness, and failure to really mesh with the other players & system seem to make this unlikely. OK at 32 he is not a Carlos, but look at Spencer, a real team/fan favorite-he's had one (1) good year for us. As GM for the day, I would have Yoda (Tim) and Obi-Wan (Dan) limit their Google search to younger players for SI & allocations. Young enough to play 5 years, eh? Aside from Balboa, has ANY Rapids Allocation given us three full years? Not JDV, Tote, Limpars, Waldir, Marquihno, etc. RLH
Re: Age.... The list of allocations league-wide that have lasted 5 years is hardly a big one. If you think the Rapids -- and the rest of the league -- have had difficulty finding 31-year-old allocations that can make a difference, just imagine how much more difficult that is to find someone who will make just as much of an impact, play for the same reduced salary, yet be in the mid/upper 20's. Please. Stop whining about the Rapids picking up ineffective foreign allocations. There are always going to be significantly more failures than successes. If it takes going through five dropouts to find one that can make a difference, that's not really so bad. Even with Spenny's injuries, he's made a massive impact on this team. Now we're starting to see Zizi making an impact. Are things really this bad? At the very least, what's the point of complaining about Powell at this stage? Have you seen him play within the last few years? Do you know the extent of his injuries? Do you know the amount of interest he really has here? No. Remember, the Rapids are looking at more than one player. Don't cry about the sky falling just because of some slightly negative press about one individual.
Thanks!? Greenie, you are making my point......don't get upset when I point out the obvious. I am not trying to get you going. You point out that the Rapids haven't figured out how to use the allocations wisely. The rest of the league does better. Soooorry. You hold up Spenny (trying for his second full year in 2003!). Yes he, is a great captain, and I hope he plays another few years for us. With out run of poor seasons, he's the ONLY allocation that counted? Thanks, you made my point. You hold up Zizi...hey great! He's played three games!!! Let's hold him up as a success after, oh, how about a year, eh? (OK, again you made my point). Limpars, and JDV actually helped us out for a season or so, but we cannot seem to even do THAT MUCH with the last two years "major acquisitions". Whine all you want, we ought to be crying!!! I have seen Powell (Here at Mile High). He's a good player. So was Grimandi, Amokachi, Waldir, Marquinho, etc. Powell may indeed be the next name on that list. So what, if we're lucky he'll make the Limpar/JDV list? C'mon, we need to set our standards higher than that! In the end it's the GM/Coach that will be judged for what the do with the resources given to them. We've wasted alot, eh? So far the Rapids GM's get a "D" in a league of B's and C's, and the coaches? Aside from '97 (B+) and 2002 (C+,but the Musa thing..) they get D+ too. Underachievers. We're 0-2-1. Sigh. Richard p.s. at least my Fantasy team (Vertigo) is ahead in MLS/TSN....
If you're going to go on and on about past failures, at least spell the freaking name right. You are a fan of the team right? It's LIMPAR for crying out loud. I also disagree that the rest of the league has been that much more successful in using their allocations. Tell me, when was the last time any team in MLS, besides Los Angeles, had more than one major foreign allocation make a lasting impression on the club (your stated desire)? Even Los Angeles got stuck with a revolving door of international washouts. Of course, their washouts were even bigger and more monumental failures than ours. Hey, you're fond of pointing out records. Then how about the fact that the MetroStars, arguably the worst team in the history of the league when it comes to foreign allocations, just handed our asses to us. And for all your screams of "Valderrama," you never seem to point out the possibility that the player was forced onto the Rapids. You don't point out that in not being a major market, Colorado isn't seen as a desirable place for MLS -- who signs, manages and pays for every player, remember -- when it comes to "big" players. Yes, the Rapids allocations have been disappointing by your standards. However you miss a key point in bringing these guys over: how much they teach the younger players. For someone who makes such a big stink about the inability of the Rapids to develop their youth, it's interesting that you never mention how often Carrieri has credited Spenny and Valderrama with elevating his game. Or how your favorite Ross Paule was inspired by and felt lucky to be learning from Limpar. If a foreign player comes in and makes an impact, then it's a success regardless of how long he's been around or whether or not the team wins a trophy. The Rapids haven't been around for 10 years, yet people whine like we haven't won anything in three times that. They're a young team in every sense, and they're going to have to learn from their mistakes no matter how often they happen. My point is not that you shouldn't moan about the Rapids. Knock yourself out. Cry until you're blue like a spoiled little child whose parent won't buy him the latest video game. But you can at least refrain from brandishing Powell as a "has-been" or a failure when you've got only and extremely limited knowledge of him. You saw him play here in 1999. That's four years ago, bub. Do you recall seeing him on TV anytime more recently, whether for Derby, Birmingham or Wednesday? MLS is a second-tier league. Get used to it, or you're going to be crying about the quality of our foreign players for the rest of your life.
Some of us seems nieve to Hankinson total lack of ability to coach or recruit. Repitition is your reputation. Last nights game tells it in a big way. Rizzo is slow and horrible,what was his contribution last night. Hart and Crawford are not talented outside backs. Vallow is better than Garlick but still is not a good enough keeper. The team has gone from being a decent team to a horrible team and we lost only Pibe and Tim had lots of time to do something about it. Last year big error was Palacious. Notice I have not mentioned Grimandi because that was not his fault. Herdsman had one bad game and he is forgotten although he played good near the end of last season. We need a new coach and quickly and one that does not make several mistakes and keep repeating.
OK, now I've got you going.... Greenie, You are sooooo sensitive sometimes. I am unsure why advocating for a better plan to get something out of allocations (foreign or domestic) fires you up. If we don't learn from the past, we'll repeat it (the Rapids really have that 'repeat it' one down cold). The other teams have done, on average, 'less poorly' than the Rapids with foreign players. I think New Jersey has been worse than us by far, and their club isn't one I think the Rapids should emulate. Chicago, DC, and LA have done better. KC about the same, but they got a MLS Cup, we lost ours with Limpar's injuries & Hahnemann's departure. I think we're about average in Discovery signings. We have the distinction of signing the most big-name foreigners that left or were dumped before the season started. Great. You need not argue that Powell is a good player. Of course he is. So are lots of foreign additions that fail. I'd love a savvy, talented, Jamaican #10. Who wouldn't. If it's not the GM and Coach's job to prevent another soap opera, who's job is it? I feel like it's mine and yours some days. Given the "Small Market" and tough Foreign-to-Rapids jump, we need a better paradigm to improve the team despite these limitations. If Powell is another Spencer, who likes it here and leads the team, then let's take him! If not, don't sign him for ticket sales or as a platform to return to Europe. Same for any high priced or allocation level player. I have, like you, been impressed with the way our young players learn from the foreign stars. This helps our team how? When they sit or get traded???? Hmmm. If Powell comes and students-of-the-game Carrieri & Beckerman are on the bench, remind me how this helps us. I may be old fashion, but the students-of-the-game need to be players-on-the-field in Rapids Green (or whatever color we are now). Richard
My Take The bottom line is whether it's Greenie or Riccardo55, we are all sick of mediocrity. As fans, we are excited with the chance each year to see a team that is competing for the title. It is a major bummer when we are barely into the season, and critics are calling us the worst team in the MLS. I wish that I thought that channeling our anger towards management would make any difference. It hasn't so far. They seem to care less about what we think. Their decisions seem to always reflect what is best for them, and to hell with us. Greenie touched on the league's interference with the running of every team. On the surface, the decisions that Hankinson has made so far smack of stupidity. My only question is, does the league interfere so far in as to influence who is playing? If these decisions are Hankinson's, then he needs to go. If somehow the league is intervening, (i.e.,Rizzo is the only Mexican player in the MLS, he needs to be in the lineup) then I will cut Tim some slack, but if that is the case, then the league is a sham. This is not an indictment of Rizzo, I think he has been passable, though not inspiring, but the Rapids coach needs to run the Rapids team, and if Tim is the real decisionmaker, then there needs to be a change right now, or we will be relegated to the permanent basement.
Re: OK, now I've got you going.... Because you're not bringing this up as an advocate for a better plan, you're bringing this up in a negative light about Powell. You read that he's had some injury problems this past season and immediately take off with the idea that Powell is going to be be a failure just like all the others you've mentioned. I don't have a problem with anything you're saying, you're pretty much correct and accurate in the Rapids' failure in this regard. But you also seem to have this skewed view that other teams in the league have done so much better than the Rapids in this area, when in reality they have not. LA has done better in that they've won some trophies and finally a league championship. However by the same yardstick you use against the Rapids, LA has arguably done the worst of all. They've had the league's biggest foreign allocation failures (whether they wanted them or not) and if any team has truly been an "underachiever," it is the Galaxy prior to 2002. Chicago? DC? The only allocations that either team have done well with are the batch they got during their inaugural seasons. You mention KC having done better than the Rapids with their allocaitons. Guess what? KC is the perfect example of an allocation (Molnar) that comes in for one season and makes a difference. I don't think you have too many Wizards fans whining about that. And *ahem*, in losing Hahnemann we didn't lose an allocation. We lost a former A-League goalkeeper, and had he stayed it's doubtful we would have seen much of a difference in the results. Or perhaps you don't remember Hahnemann blaming on allowing a goal because he "lost the ball in the lights." That would be two. Amokachi and Grimandi. I don't know much about other teams' preseason experiences, but I don't see how this is such a horrible distinction given the nature of each players' dis-involvement with the team. At least the Rapids had the balls to cut Amokachi's cord early. He showed up to camp in horrible shape and the Rapids dropped him like a rock. So long as you're going to talk about distinction, the Rapids also have the honor of having the biggest players (foreign or otherwise) for the club not be given enough money by the league to stay, as well as foreign allocations that we were told were "too expensive" to retain or allocate. Hankinson wouldn't. I think you need to be aware that Powell is not a "#10" in the way you (and so many fans) suggest. He's not a playmaker nor magical passer like the Valderrama of old, nor is he be a midfield general a la Nowak or Cienfuegos. Powell is a pure, physical, attacking midfielder. It should also be pointed out that the Rapids are not looking for a "#10" to run the midfield. If they did, they would not have planned on pairing Grimandi and Mastroeni. Hankinson has made his midfield strategy and interests abundantly clear, and the players themselves, most recently Mastroeni, have also made it clear that in the modern game there really aren't these magical "#10s" anymore. Not only do you not see them in successful sides in Europe or South America, you also don't see them in successful sides in MLS. Or unsuccessful sides, for that matter. Beckerman on the bench does suck, and he deserves another chance. But Carrieri? Give me a break. That kid wrote his own ticket to the bench with his big-mouth bravado to Mark Connolly. It's clear that Carrieri still hasn't learn a lesson that Spencer has shown in spades over the past two seasons: Humility. It's time that Carrieri realizes and admits that he too has not been playing well in these first three games, and that he's got to work harder. Obviously it doesn't help if these and other players are on the bench. But in a second-tier league like MLS, you really need to consider the bigger, long-term picture. It's not so much about how a team does season to season but how we progress over each generation of players. We're miles ahead of the quality (cough) of MLS in 1996, significantly farther along the development curve than anyone expected by this point. And the Rapids themselves are much farther along. They may be struggling compared to the rest of the league, but they are still a marked improvement over what we saw in 2001. The Rapids pull from the same competitive pool as every other team in the league; for all the players we may develop and trade or release into that pool, we've got the same opporutnity to pick up a player who has benefitted from learning from experienced players elsewhere. Even A-League teams are now benefitting from these foreign MLS "failures." If you don't believe me, then the next time you make it to a Rapids training session or post-game party, give up the star gazing and go talk to Kingsley, Borchers, or Herdsman, and ask them if having experienced foreign veterans has helped their game at all. Players like these will never be the stars of MLS and are unlikely to be even part of a starting lineup that lifts a championship. These players however form the backbone that supports the contined development and eventual success of MLS and American players as a whole. So please, before you choose to blast a potential foreign player before he's even been given a chance -- remember, his visit here is as much for the Rapids to review him as vice-versa -- don't go off on how this is yet another example of the pathetic Rapids having no clue, and consider what our "failures" have brought to the team. Remember: without Limpar, there's no Balboa bicycle.
Fox Sportsworld MLS WrapUp I don't know how much John Harkes really knows, or if he is a mouthpiece for the league, but tonight on Fox Sportsworld MLS WrapUp, Harkes said that he had spoken to Powell this weekend, and that he was excited about coming to visit with the Rapids. Harkes and the other commentator both thought that Powell could be just what the Rapids need. I am not saying this is true, but nonetheless, it is an interesting addition to all the other info about Powell.
I was fortunate enought to meet Mr. Powell Saturday night at the stadium; he stopped by to check out the all-night soccer tournament. He seems fit enough, and is quite a big guy! Really nice also, would be cool if he sticks around.
I guess then that Ricardo55 is right and that's what this team has come to. If the guy is Big and Nice, let's sign him. Tell me Legend, did the guy take his time going up stairs? Cause honestly, as a midfielder I don't really care if he's Big or Nice. Whether or not he's walking around with a limp, that's the big question. I'll take Joe Pesci if he can pass and shoot.