OK, time to get back to a more regular posting schedule. This week I'll hopefully have a season review, a recap of where the European teams I'm following are, and maybe a new team to talk about. First lets start with next week's Expansion Draft for next year's Philadelphia Union.
The draft will be a week from Wednesday. Click to continue reading...

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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With stars like Conor Casey and Pablo Mastroeni, the Rapids should have done better in 2009. (Getty Images)

Consistent play was always an issue in 2008 for the Colorado Rapids, and it turned out 2009 wasn't much different. The Rapids looked like a team that could contend in early on in 2009 but the ladder part of the season tore this group apart as injuries were racked up and the offensive production that was one of the best in the league at times turned into a pumpkin.

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Fox Soccer Channel really know its soccer. I love the cable network, and I love the broadcasting duo of Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan, who worked Saturday's 3-0 Real Salt Lake victory over the Colorado Rapids.

And although they don't work every Rapids game, the offered keen insight into the team and its playoff fortunes throughout Saturday night's telecast from Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

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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...

On October 3rd 1777 the American revolutionary army under George Washington began its march to Germantown to face the British. On October 3rd 2009 the Revolution under Steve Nicol will march into Commerce City to face the British-led Rapids. The battle of Germantown was a victory for the British, let's hope history repeats itself tomorrow night. Click to continue reading...

I have to declare an interest here. I wasn't able to see this game. All I have are the postmatch comments of both the team and friends who called me after the game to fill me in.
What I can say is that a point in Kansas is a very valuable one at this stage of the season. I know the Rapids are not picking up three points on anything like a consistent basis but we cannot underestimate the injuries that have befallen them. Click to continue reading...

A short turnaround from Wednesday's night disappointment to our next game tomorrow night, a short road trip to Kansas City. The Rapids will have a depleted lineup after learning today that Jacob Peterson tore his ACL in Wednesday night's game. Game time is at 6:30pm and the game will be televised on Altitude. Click to continue reading...

The Wizards have a chance tomorrow to make up more ground on the pack ahead of them and get even closer to the MLS playoffs this year. Tomorrow, the Wizards take on the Colorado Rapids, who are currently 8 points ahead of the Wizards and currently in the playoffs. Colorado comes into the game on the backs of 2 1-1 draws with San Jose, both on late penalty kick goals by the leagues leading scorer, Conor Casey. Click to continue reading...

The Rapids have just announced that Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith will join Colin Clark on the season-ending injury list. Peterson tore his ACL in a collision in Wednesday's San Jose game. Smith injured his knee against Houston on August 30th, and after having surgery to repair it has reportedly developed a blood clot. 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...

A very unusual Friday night game this week as the Rapids find out if they know the way to San Jose. This is the first matchup between the teams this week, with a second coming up in less than a week as both teams will head back to Denver after the match. The Earthquakes are pretty much out of the playoff race already and are looking ahead to 2010 so these are 3 points the Rapids could pick up on the road. Click to continue reading...

Gary Smith and the Colorado Rapids coaching staff don't look to have been able to snatch an extra player to add to their decimated ranks in time to beat the September 15th transfer deadline. It did seem a little bit of a stretch for the team to be able to secure a midfielder that would fit both short and long-term needs. Click to continue reading...

Well, they tried. A banged up Colorado Rapids gave it all they got against a Dwayne De Rosario-inspired Toronto and almost came up with the goods in Canada. Instead, they return home defeated for a few days to regroup before a vital home and away series against San Jose.
Conor Casey, with his 13th goal of the season, equalized early in the second half after some rubbish defending from Toronto made Kosuke Kimura's floating cross much more dangerous than it should have been and Mike Holody, in only his second MLS game, notched a crucial goal very late on to give the Rapids some hope but it wasn't to be. Click to continue reading...

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...

Players can be a little forgetful of the details and the Colorado Rapids are no different. On a whiteboard in the locker room, they are this week being urged not to forget their passports as they travel to Canada. More tellingly, there is also a note on that same board that reads "If you are healthy and not suspended, you are traveling. Click to continue reading...

Yes, DaMarcus Beasley was spotted at DSG Park with Cory Gibbs at the weekend and, no, that doesn't mean he is set to leave Glasgow for Denver. Gary Smith, today discussing the likelihood of the Rapids picking up a midfielder before the September 15 deadline, dismissed speculation the Rangers player could be joining up with his good friend in Colorado. Click to continue reading...

That's right, the boys from the 51st state are in town to face Colorado. Its the first of a double-header, the Rapids will head to the Great White North next week to face Toronto on the road. Because of the U.S National Team game and the Fox Soccer Channel coverage the game will start 30 minutes later at 8pm. 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...

Gary Smith is a very patient and a very open and friendly guy who also has the ruthlessness in him that is needed to succeed in professional sport. He has shown that time and again in molding this team how he wants it. Witness the controversial decison to waive fan favorite Terry Cooke among other moves. Click to continue reading...

The Rapids host the Dynamo in their only home Sunday match tomorrow. At halftime former Colorado striker and current Houston assistant coach will be inducted into the Gallery of Honor where he'll join Rapids legends Marcelo Balboa, Paul Bravo, and Chris Henderson. A well-deserved honor for one of the all-time fan favorites. Click to continue reading...

Colorado heads into Chicago on Sunday hoping to avenge only their second ever Independence Day loss last month. The Rapids have a chance to move up to 3rd with a win and be only a point out of second with a game in hand while the Fire are chasing the Crew in the Eastern Conference race so its a big game for both sides. 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...

Sorry for the lack of updates today folks. As I mentioned earlier in the day I've been a bit tied up with a new project which has taken some time away from here. But not to bore you with all of that I do have a few items to discuss tonight, mostly centering around the CONCACAF Champions League.

DC United, the Columbus Crew and the Houston Dynamo all kick off their group stage games tonight and tomorrow in the 2009/10 edition of the regional club championship.

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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...

By TRAVIS CLARK

With Wednesday's qualifier behind us—and most U.S. fans want to move on as soon as possible—it's important to remember that the MLS season is in full season and the playoff race is just starting to heat up.

Add to that the start of the CONCACAF Champions League next week and it's going to be a trying time for Columbus, Houston, and D.

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By TRAVIS CLARK

With Wednesday's qualifier behind us—and most U.S. fans want to move on as soon as possible—it's important to remember that the MLS season is in full season and the playoff race is just starting to heat up.

Add to that the start of the CONCACAF Champions League next week and it's going to be a trying time for Columbus, Houston, and D.

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Sad news for Colorado Rapids fans, talented winger Colin Clark has done his ACL and is done for the year.
The 25 year old had five assists this season.
Hate to see anyone get hurt, let along solid young American talent that was getting a look at the national team level. Click to continue reading...

Colorado Rapids midfielder Colin Clark has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the club announced Tuesday.

Clark suffered the injury in training Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the 2009 season.

Surgery to repair the injury is scheduled for next week.

Clark started in 16 games this season, playing 1,421 minutes.

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Colorado Rapids midfielder Colin Clark will miss the rest of the 2009 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training on Tuesday. Clark will have surgery next week. He has played in 16 games for the Rapids this season and earned his first US National Team cap during last month's Gold Cup. Click to continue reading...

The injury that affects soccer players seemingly the most and one that they all fear has happened to Colin Clark. A very bad thing to happen to a player who is vital to this team.
Press release from the Rapids: COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, August 11, 2009) – Colorado Rapids midfielder Colin Clark has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, the club announced today. Click to continue reading...

Could this man's season have been upended by injury?

From the Colorado Rapids Front Office, midfielder Colin Clark has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, the club announced today.

Clark suffered the injury in training on Tuesday and will be forced to miss the remainder of the 2009 season.

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Rapids striker Conor Casey scored his ninth, 10th and 11th goals against Chivas USA on Saturday. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

When defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni scores, the Colorado Rapids need to make it count.

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Given very poor planning on my part, I will again miss the Rapids game this weekend. Two games in a row, very poor form. So, I won't be posting a match report as the chances of me both finding a tv in Philadelphia that may actually show it and be on the good side of my significant other are slim to none. Click to continue reading...