Rapids coach Gary Smith discusses his team's 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the effects of losing players to national-team duties and Wednesday night's international friendly against Club America.

How important was Saturday's victory?

On some occasions we've come away from less than full points.

After the Colorado Rapids defeated his team 4-0 on Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Jeff Agoos, the sporting director of the New York Red Bulls, graciously took some time to talk soccer with me in the press box. We discussed the Red Bulls, the All-Star Game, the national team and the Gold Cup final.

A few Colorado fans might recognize goalkeeper Chris Sharpe, but the Rapids players certainly did on Saturday night. With Sharpe suited up for Chivas USA at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, many of the Rapids bumped fists or shook hands or patted him on the back as they passed the Goats' bench.

Sharpe's rights are owned by the Rapids, and he trains with the Rapids.

(photos by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

John Spencer was made the fourth member of Colorado Rapids' Gallery of Honor on Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The 38-year-old assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo was in town for a fixture between the two teams, and the Rapids honored him at halftime.

Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura was the man of the match on Saturday against Dallas. His goal late in the second half was the deciding moment in Colorado's 1-0 victory, but his energetic play throughout the game was a key component in the team's plan to keep the Hoops on their heels. Kimura took some time to talk about his attacking style of play against FC Dallas and the state of the Rapids' back line.

Real Colorado midfielder Beth West tracks down Vancouver's Monica Lam-Feist on Sunday in Highlands Ranch. (photo by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Sunday's Real Colorado season finale marked the end of a busy stretch for Real Colorado Cougars midfielder Beth West.

Rapids midfielder Colin Clark has returned to the Colorado Rapids after playing for the United States at the Gold Cup. The U.S. finished second to Mexico, losing 5-0 in the final on Sunday. I caught up with Clark after training this morning (Friday), as the Rapids prepared for Saturday's match against the Columbus Crew.

I had a chance to speak with Adrian Hanauer, the general manager and one of the owners of the Seattle Sounders, at halftime of Saturday's 2-2 tie between the Colorado Rapids and the Sounders. He watched the game, wearing his Sounders scarf, from the press box and was quite animated. The game was 1-1 at halftime.