One a freelancer, one playing hooky, and two who lost their jobs due to the sucky economy---but at least we had something fun to do on Friday morning: attend the Rapids practice. I wasn't planning to be the one who did the write-up, but it looks like I'm the first one here. Maybe if I start someone else will pick up where I leave off. While we were there we saw the team do two drills---one that looked to be more defensive in nature while the other was more about scoring. For both drills Hankinson had them in tight quarters, really enforcing speed, accuracy, and agility. Unfortunately I'm not good enough to sit here and methodically go through player by player. And there were so many players that I was watching for the first time, it wasn't always easy to keep track of the new faces. But here are some of the main things I walked away with: Steve Shak did a formidable job in the first of the drills. I hope we see more of him on the field this season. Zizi sounds like he still doesn't have a handle on the altitude. Literally. I could hear him breathing from yards away. Maybe it's because he has so much muscle mass to oxygenate---a big dude! I think the keeper playing opposite Garlick in the second drill was Foss. He had a few spectacular saves, really forceful punches. Dude has wingspan. Garlick didn't look loike he was working nearly as hard as Foss. I can't decide whether it's because Garlick was just making it all look so easy or whether he was actually being a little slack. Danny Jackson was in really good form. I think Spenny should be our new 10 shirt. Loud, smart, aggressive. Can create a shot for someone else or take it himself. After the first drill a bunch of the guys sat out, incl. Schmidt, Hart, & Kotschau. Carrieri & Herdsman came out but weren't dressed for practice. I also got a few pictures. Have mercy---no comparisons to the Rapids site, please. This is my very first web page ever Hope that worked!
yes, it would be interesting to know, especially since basically EVERY report i've heard has said Shak has looked great this spring, so it would be somewhat puzzling if he was cut (said from afar of course).
I may have given the wrong impression regarding Shak... I never meant to imply that he's looked great in training, only that he's looked the best I've ever seen him. He did strike one great goal, but otherwise has just been a solid player. One thing I think you'll find if you look through all these reports is that there have been very, very few players that didn't look "great" in spring training this year. The ones that were somewhat dubious, such as Cole and Jackson, were pointed out as such by multiple observers. Partly it's evolution of the league, but mostly it's evolution of this team. Shak (and Cole and Jackson) have simply been outclassed in spring training by draft picks and camp invites -- not to mention, experienced yet young pros like Rizo and Zizi and the continued development of younger Rapids like Beckerman and Stewart. I've got no doubt that Shak will find a starting stint with an A-league side somewhere, and may find a chance to blossom there, someday returning to MLS as a utility player or possibly a stable starting defender for an expansion club.
I've heard no official confirmation of Shak's departure. But, I still have faith in him. Granted, he has had the slack of playing time in his MLS career, but he was drafted number 1 of a field that included Garcia and Califf. I think he still has potential. If not, he'd have been gone long before now. He's also more versatile than Jackson or Sleeth. I'll bet he makes the roster. I thought he did look good in training.
The goalie in the picture is Scotty Vallow.. The boy has also posted two shut outs so far in Mexico.. You guys got a gem in him..
I'd have to believe he's the likely backup to Garlick. If Garlick has problems with his wrist/hands/fingers again, he'll see time too.
Spent the past two seasons with our supporters standing right behind him.. He is the superior keeper of the two Rhinos that are now in MLS (Onstad now starting for the time being in San Jose).. I am not claiming that he is gonna steal the spot from Garlick, who arguably is the best MLS gk, but he is going to be brilliant when he fills in and eventually take the starting spot in the future.