I visited the Rapids morning training in Westminster this past Thursday. The team scrimmaged for about an hour on a smaller field, 8 v 8, I believe. It was exciting to see the likes of Grimandi and Roberts there. Roberts is huge, by the way, very intimidating. Anyway, they divided up into two, more or less, even teams. The yellow team seemed to be composed of the younger fellows, including Beckerman, Chung, Carrieri, Shak, Stewart, Rizzo the unidentified left back, a left midfielder called "Gamilo", and a keeper who had an uncanny resemblance to Oliver Kahn. The other team, blue, boasted Roberts, Grimandi, Henderson, Jackson, Fraser, Trembly and Garlick. Spencer and Mastroeni were not at the practice. Suprisingly, the yellow team won the game, or at least contolled play, from what I recall. Beckerman was extremely composed in the center and looked quite good, making quality touches. Carrieri also looked in good form, making some dangerous runs. Stewart played well, as well. Chung looked quite good, providing leadership and helping in the attack, as always. He is still the best asset of the club. This fellow "Gamilo" seemed a tad outclassed on the left side. Behind him at left back, Rizzo was invaluable to yellow. He won tackles, directed play and made great through balls. I definitely hope to see him as a permanent fixture on the roster. However, the most impressive on yellow, to me, was Steve Shak. Up until then, I knew little about Shak except for his draft position 3 years ago, 1st, assuming he was overrated or wasted potential. However, he seemed well composed on the pitch, shutting down blue's runs, and nailed a 30 yard volley on the ground into the lower corner past a frozen Garlick. I wonder how he will fit in to this year's squad. On the blue side, Robin Fraser was reliable as always, shutting down Carrieri and making some good passes. Trembly was decent, but nothing outstanding. He made a few good runs, but no memorable passes, and was shut down easily by yellow's back line. Danny Jackson looked very determined and played extermely competitively, no doubt vying for his spot on the team. Sadly, I was disapointed by the Rapids two ned foreign aquisitions, Grimandi and Roberts. Henderson was often invisible on the right side, getting in the attack but never managing to produce. He looked good and in form, but was hindered by Rizzo's strong play on the left back. Undoubtedly, Grimandi posseses the skill and experience needed, but failed to control the midfield or direct play as I had expected. He's not a bad player, I just expected more leadership in the middle by him. However, that may not be his role, and I may have passed an unfair judgement. His touches were very good and he saw the field well, covering on defense a few times. Yet, the most disapointing of the day goes hands down to Zizi Roberts. I'm not sure what was wrong, perhaps it was the altitude, by Zizi could not buy a good touch Thursday. In the second half alone, he recieved at least four strong opportunities at goal and failed to score every time. Twice he struck the ball and shanked it like a freshamn on JV. It was disapointing. The ball soared over and wide of the net on both occaisions. On others, he recieved good balls from the midfield with ample opportunity to score, only to be chased down by a yellow defender or lose the ball. He did not seem in form, and was rightly disapointed with his own performance. As for keepers, Garlick looked old. Lazy, maybe. But certainly not quick and agile. He seemed to be the least competetive on the field, giving up a few easily goals and idly watching others. Oliver Kahn look-alike, however, played very well. For being quite large, I'd guess bigger than Zizi, he got down well on low shots, not conceding the easy goal. It was evident Oliver was trying to earn his spot. His highlight was robbing Grimandi from point blank range on a volley from a corner with a diving sprawl. Again, his resemblance to Kahn was uncanny. Anyone know who he is?
The yellow (Carrieri et. al)team won 6-1! The players that played exceptionally well were Carrieri, and Stewart. Frazier couldn't stop Carrieri and Stewart didn't let Zizi do a thing. On the other hand the players that played very poorly were Zizi and Frazier. Zizi had a horrible day. Maybe he was just tired or ready to go home for couple of days before Florida? Grimandi didn't look that good either and I think he is a bit fatigued and will find his form shortly as his fitness at mile high level improves. Chung did well too.
I believe his name is Alberto Rizzo, 23 years old. He came to the Rapids from Atlas in the Mexican league.
I don't think Carrieri outdid Fraser. Fraser played pretty well, in my eyes. He looked in good form. Don't get me wrong, Carrieri made some great runs and used his speed to get in behind the defense well. Definitely much better than Zizi, but Fraser held it together at the back. I'll look up Alberto Rizzo. Also, anyone have any preseason games schedule or scrimmages?
Just to clarify, Garlick was not involved in the scrimmage. He showed up about halfway through the second half in street clothes. He isn't injured, he was just given the day off. And the mystery leftback's name, according to Hanki is Bautista Rizzo or Rizzo Bautista. One of the two. I asked Hanki after the scrimmage what his full name was and he said Bautista. Since I only knew the Rizzo part, I assumed it was his last name. Only Hanki didn't clarify. When I get another chance to interview Hanki, I'll get a clarification. He is not officially with the Rapids yet but they are tying to sign him. Since he is under 25, he would not count as a senior international. I guess a discovery for this season and then a senior international next.
Re: Re: Rapid Training The only name I got out of Spencer about this goalie was that his name is Byron. Not sure his fully name. Could be Byron Kahn.
Erm, Garlick himself told me on Wednesday night that his hand was feeling great but he was a bit frustrated as he picked up a slight injury that was keeping him out of training for a few days. Just to clarify. Otherwise, I too was at training last Thursday and pretty much concur with the information presented in the thread... JoeyClams and I kept wondering what happened to Zizi, the clinical killer finisher we had seen in prior training sessisons... he definitely looked frustrated out there. Bizarre moment of the day was when Shak nailed a damn, damn fine goal from 20 yards out. Outside of the foot, curling away from the keeper, side netting. Things were definitely going the way of the yellow team...
Thanks Greenie. I stand corrected. I put together an article for cybersoccernews.com about training last Thursday that has yet to posted. Since this is the slow time of the year, they are saving it for a couple of days while they run Pat's tryout story for the movie they are making about the 1950 US Nats team. (If you haven't read them yet, do so. Pat's hilarious and he is really in the running to appear in the movie.) Anyway, by the time it's posted it may be a little dated but there are some interesting quotes from Hanki on Zizi and the rest of the boys.
my bad on the Garlick assumption. neverthless, the non-Kahn GK didn't look sharp. neither did Zizi. and there were like 4 other people at that training, besides me, and 2 of you posted here. we need lives.
Hey guys, I am as full of angst as anyone, but getting a life is over rated. Besides, we really need and appreciate these updates. Keep up the good work!
I just read both of Pat's articles on the tryouts, which I liked quite a bit. Thanks for pointing it out. Looking forward to your article.
I too was at the Thursday session, and because my luck is what it is, a 20$ part in my car decided to go, and I was left stranded until I could get it towed which turned a 50$ job into a 170$ one... So I was able to catch the 3pm session that day, in which Spenny, and Grimandi were observers along with Kingsley. Zizi was no longer present. The stretched and then proceeded on that same small field going sideways with a passing game that involved everyone where they set 4 balls on small markers and the object was to pass it around until you were close enough to shoot and knock one of the balls off. Carrieri was his usual bulldog self during this completely lighthearted but fiercely competitive drill. Here were my overall impressions of that particular days practice... Everyone is wondering why Zizi looked terrible. It thought it was because there wasn't crap for service to him. He did however look awful when striking the ball, but when he did receive it with his back turned to goal, it was very obvious that this man will be an absolute load to get off the ball, he's so strong on the ball that I'm afraid smaller defenders will be tossed aside with such ease it will look like he's fouling them. Grimandi didn't get many touches for some reason. Yet, when he did, you could tell he had that smooth, silky touch that players only get from having spent a good spot of time in England. Shak showed some flashes of great play, I was very suprised to see both athleticism and intelligence from Shak. Maybe all that time watching and learning has paid off??? I have no idea what to make of him, but after all it was just a practice. Hendo, Chungy, Beckerman, Stewart, and Carrieri, all look to be ready to go, they look energized and ready to start the season, Stewart was impressive. The two keepers looked crap. I pray we sign a quality back up or Garlick can stay healthy. Rizzo didn't show too much, he looked good going forward but made a couple really poor decisions passing. Overall, with all the components in place, this team looks solid, I expect a better year than last year. We look solid, from top to bottom, and much deeper. I believe we'll be slugging it out with LA. We'll mop up the KC's and the Burn's and San Jose's and the East is still garbage... Oh yeah, Soccer is my life... Until I get paid for doing what I REALLY want to, there's nothing but soccer... I was going to make it down this Thursday too, but those peckers took off for Florida...
Maybe Byron is Byron Foss, the 6-5 ex-SMU keeper? He doesn't look too much like Kahn, but he is huge and ruddy blonde.
From what I gather, Cole did not make as much of an impression on Hanki and the other coaches as Blake and Crawford did. Greenie would have more on the actual conversation but what I heard is that Hanki was looking for Cole to display his vaunted speed and didn't in his training sessions. As for where he is now, I think he is back at school but is planning on hooking up with the Rapids in Florida or Mexico or both. Blake is finishing his degree and Crawford is supposed to be back for the Florida and Mexico trips. Again, Greenie might have more info but that is what I have heard.