Colin Clark and Conor Casey make up a big part of the Rapids. (Getty Images)

We are moving forward today in our expansion draft coverage. So far we've knocked out both the Fire and Chivas USA, today we stay out west with a look at the Colorado Rapids. Now this is a club that may go through a bit of a change this winter because of their collapse late in the season.

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When the schedule came out it was obvious that this was going to be the biggest game of the season regardless of thee standings. There was a pretty good chance that at least one team would be fighting for the playoffs, plus you add in the rivalry and the Rocky Mountain Cup and its was always going to be an important game. Click to continue reading...

In 2002, 2005, and 2006 Colorado traveled to Dallas and knocked them out of the playoffs (In 1997 we knocked Dallas out in Colorado). In 2009 Dallas faces a must win game at home to Colorado to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Colorado has a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win. While not an actual playoff game, its essentially a do or die game. Click to continue reading...

Dallas' game with San Jose on Wednesday could help decide the Rapids' playoff hopes. If the streaking Hoops conjure up another win against the also improving San Jose Earthquakes, they will still be in the playoff hunt. If they lose, they will be eliminated from the postseason, presumably making Colorado's trip to Texas October 17 a little easier for the Burgundy and Blue. Click to continue reading...

New England goalkeeper Matt Reis starts to lean to his right as Rapids striker Conor Casey takes aim for the other side of the net in the 58th minute on Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

On Sept. 18, Rapids striker Conor Casey scored a second-half goal on a penalty kick at San Jose.

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The MLS Players Union has updated its list of 2009 salaries. Its current as of the roster freeze date on September 15th.
There are 8 Rapids added and 5 removed since the last release on March 15th. We finally get the number for Palguta and Holody, it moves Moor, Noonan, and Valentino from their former teams to Colorado, and it adds the salaries for Baudet, Diz, and Jamie Smith. Click to continue reading...

After the draw last Friday against San Jose the Rapids get right back at it tomorrow night...against San Jose. The Earthquakes are in town for the second half of the home-and-home series. This is the 'game in hand' the Rapids have been holding for most of the season, so a win here would be huge, while a loss would leave us in right in the middle of the playoff battle we've been trying to avoid. Click to continue reading...

Imagine the array of emotions for Ryan Johnson on Friday night. The San Jose Earthquakes striker scored his team's only goal in the eighth minute of a 1-1 tie against the Colorado Rapids. Then the 24-year-old committed the foul deep into extra time that produced a penalty kick for Colorado and the Rapids' only goal.

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Last week the Rapids faced Toronto. This week the Rapids face Toronto. Next week the Rapids will face San Jose, the week after the Rapids will face San Jose. If this seems familiar its because the USOC games earlier in the season had us play LA back-to-back, then Seattle back-to-back. This time the Rapids are in the Great White North to try to keep their roll going. Click to continue reading...

We're coming around the final turn of the season, 75% complete. Time for a final mid-season review.
Goalkeeping: Things haven't changed much in goal from the midway point. Pickens has been solid but not spectacular, Burpo's a capable backup, and Ceus took the Charlotte Eagles to the USL-2 championship before losing in the final. Click to continue reading...

The Rapids bounced back from the Chicago debacle with a strong performance against Houston yesterday. The only downside was the amount of damage done to the team in the process..
The Rapids came out hot and took the game to the Dynamo. While we controlled play we had a hard time turning that into dangerous chances. Click to continue reading...

Not too many goals to pick from this week with all the 1-0 games we saw. So this week all the goals are included in the list.

My favorites were Beckham's and Richards. What did you all like?

Order of goals: Dane Richards, Julien Baudet, David Beckham, Pablo Campos, Bryan Namoff, Steve Ralston, Wells Thompson, Ramon Sanchez, Pablo Campos (Chivas game), Fabian Espindola, and Robbie Findley (1 and 2).

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                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Drew Moor from FC Dallas, along with a 2010 second-round pick and allocation money, for defender Ugo Ihemelu.

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                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Drew Moor from FC Dallas, along with a 2010 second-round pick and allocation money, for defender Ugo Ihemelu.

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Well, that was a bit of a shock. Having pondered this morning who would be Baudet's first choice partner in central defense, the Rapids obviously have their eye on Drew Moor rather than Ugo Ihemelu to solve that conundrum.
Press release from the Rapids:
The Colorado Rapids have acquired defender Drew Moor in a trade with FC Dallas, the club announced today. Click to continue reading...

What a difference a week makes. Last week's Colorado Rapids' locker room in Chicago was not a great place to be in as an outsider. This week, it was the Houston players slumped in their seats in frustration as the Rapids celebated a morale-boosting victory over the league leaders.
Yesterday's game, not exactly chock full of action and highlights, will be remembered for one thing and that will be Julien Baudet and a triumphant return to the team after a miserable start to his Rapids' career. Click to continue reading...

The Rapids fly to Chicago tomorrow for the first of two pivotal games against top flight opponents. While Gary Smith only cares about the minimum 40 points for a playoff spot at the end of the season, he knows that remaining undefeated against Chicago this weekend and at home to Houston next weekend will be key to confidence going forward into the home stretch. Click to continue reading...

I've had this post in mind for a while now and it doesn't cast certain parts of the Rapids organization in the best light. This isn't to say that the Rapids Front Office isn't doing a good job most of the time, and I've had great interactions when I've dealt with them. I do want to point out where the organization needs to improve though, and I ask that you read it all and keep that point in mind. Click to continue reading...

Gary Smith isn't ruling out going into the transfer market to replace the unfortunate Colin Clark but don't hold your breath. At this stage in the season, the head coach doesn't want to upset the balance of the squad he already has and, as assistant Steve Guppy also said recently, it's not as if you can just go out there and pick up another Colin Clark. Click to continue reading...

Colorado tries to get back to its winning ways with the Under-a-Chivas in town tomorrow night. The game is at 7:30 at the Dick. The supporters groups will be tailgating as always starting at 5:30.
Official Injury Report:
OUT: DF Julien Baudet (L forearm fracture); PROBABLE: FW Conor Casey (L thigh sprain); DF Cory Gibbs (R calf strain)
Official Discipline Report:
SUSPENDED: Ugo Ihemelu (Red Card vs. Click to continue reading...

The Eastern Conference leading Crew sail into town tomorrow night to face the Rapids. The Rapids are finally back at full strength after the international absences of the last two months. Game time is 7:30pm at the Dick, and the supporters groups will be tailgating starting (officially) at 5:30. I will not be in attendance for the second time in a month as my company's summer picnic is tomorrow night. Click to continue reading...

A closeup of my cousin's new baby daughter Abigail. One thing Rapids fans and Sounders fans can agree on is that NY is crap
Red Bull New York Red Bulls are in town tomorrow to take on a Rapids side that needs to right itself. The game is at 7:30 tomorrow night at the Dick, to be followed by the rescheduled fireworks for the 4th of July. Click to continue reading...

(Now just replace the kicker with Christian Gomez and the kickee with Pablo and you have a good image of what happened on Saturday)
I'm going to dispense with my standard recap of the 3-1 loss in DC. Just assume it was crap and move on. Instead here's just some extended thoughts on what I saw. Click to continue reading...

Two major defensive errors and a lack of delivery upfront ensured the Colorado Rapids crashed to a 3-1 defeat away to DC United. Colorado managed to take a fortunate lead through an early own goal but the defensive lapses in the opening 20 minutes or so of the second half were all too much. Click to continue reading...

Random ideas and obersvations from the Rapids' 3-1 loss to D.C. United on Saturday at RFK Stadium:

PASSION AND DESIRE: Colorado coach Gary Smith often attributes his team's victories and losses to the level of passion and desire the Rapids bring to the field. Saturday's two-goal loss was a good example of this.

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It will be interesting to see if Terry Cooke laces up this weekend against DC United. With Colin Clark still absent on US national team duty and the team more likely to shift back to a 4-4-2 formation now that Omar Cummings is back to play upfront with Conor Casey, it would appear as if the veteran winger may get the nod. Click to continue reading...

The Rapids enter a huge game tomorrow night. It has Must Win written all over it. After only one point in the last three games, a home win against a Kenny Cooper-less Dallas is surely that. The team will not want to go away to DC next week with anything less than three points tomorrow night. Click to continue reading...

The Denver Post is reporting that along with French defender Julian Baudet, the Rapids have also signed Argentine striker Facundo Diz and British right-winger Jason Smith. Diz would obviously give us much needed depth up front, while Smith seems to be a replacement for Terry Cooke who has reportedly been asked, and agreed, to not have his contract guaranteed until September instead of on the July 1st date all other MLS contracts are guaranteed on. Click to continue reading...

A Few Moves(not a complete list)

As July 1 approached, the time when players contracts would be guaranteed if they were on the roster, MLS clubs made moves. I haven't listed the players waived or released to make roster room, but some of the new additions are...

26 yr old Alecko Escandarian has moved across the hall as he was picked up by LA from Chivas USA.

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Craig de Aragon interviews Coach Gary Smith this week addressing the loss of players to Internationals, new Rapids defender Baudet, Cook's future, and target Facundo Diz. Give it a listen: Click Here... Click to continue reading...

Americans Abroad / USMNT
CONCACAF Letting USMNT Incread Gold Cup Roster By Seven Slots - Soccer By Ives
ESPN's USA-Brazil Numbers - Soccer Insider
Whitbread Denies Cardiff City Rumor - Yanks Abroad
Some Pernicious Themes That Undermine The US Team - SoccerBlog.com
Lessons From South Africa - Yanks Abroad
To The Runner-Up Goes The Left Back - The Sporting Blog
Attitude Will Breed Victories, Respect - Daily Breeze
Americans On The Move (Update) - Match Fit USA
USA Soccer Squad Boasts Different Look - USA Today
Dynamic Donovan Drove USA - Soccer America
USMNT And CONCACAF: Strong USL Ties - MLS Talk
US Men Seek To Stay Relevant - Boston Globe
Is Edgar Castillo Serious? Click to continue reading...

In news that surprises nobody, the Rapids officially announced the signing of French defender Julian Baudet today. He fills the roster spot created when Gregory Richardson was waived last week. Richardson wasn't getting any playing time and reportedly had some attitude issues, so this has to be seen as an upgrade. Click to continue reading...

The Colorado Rapids have waived forward Gregory Richardson.

Richardson appeared in one game for the Rapids this season, playing 11 minutes in the season opener against Chivas USA on March 21. He also played 90 minutes in Colorado's U.S. Open Cup play-in match against Seattle on May 26.

Richardson's rights were acquired by the Rapids in a trade with Toronto FC on Feb.

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The Rapids have just issued a press release:

The Colorado Rapids announced today that a mutual agreement with defender/midfielder Ivan Guerrero has been reached that will terminate his contract with the team.

Obviously a player that didn't fit into Gary Smith's system, since he saw no playing time in the league this year. Click to continue reading...

A little reminder of what we're playing for on Saturday!

• National Team loses 3-1 to Costa Rica

Embarrassing. I'm torn between firing Bradley now and improving our chances, or keeping Bradley so the team goes down hard and the USSF learns a lesson.

• Pablo called up for the Nats

Given the way he played last night, this may be his last callup. Click to continue reading...