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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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...

When the Major League Soccer schedule was released many months ago, the first game that stood out was the last one: Saturday, Oct. 24, at Real Salt Lake.

RSL knocked the Rapids out of the playoffs (and put itself in) in the final minute of the final game of 2008. And the league set up a similar showdown by pairing the two in the 2009 finale.

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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...

Jeff Nelson of the Colorado School of Mines' men's soccer team was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the week.

Nelson, a senior forward from Laramie, scored four goals and tallied two assists to help Mines to a pair of victories last weekend. In Mines' 4-3 win at CSU-Pueblo on Friday, Nelson scored a pair of goals, including the winner, and added an assist.

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It may have been a quiet week for the Rapids but all the noise from the other MLS games has left their task very clear. A win in Dallas and they could be in the playoffs. Such a scenario will take place for sure if the Rapids win in Texas and Real Salt Lake fail to beat New York tomorrow night, something they haven't done in the past 10 games against the Red Bulls apparently. Click to continue reading...

The Colorado Rapids traveled to California yesterday to prepare for tonight's game against San Jose before, bizarrely, playing the same team again next Wednesday at DSG Park. What an important game tonight's game is. After losing at Toronto to record their fourth straight away defeat, the Rapids know that a point tonight against a struggling team will be the least they can come away with before, hopefully, picking up three points at home next week. Click to continue reading...

There aren't many Major League Soccer teams that can be considered save in the MLS playoff race. Other than the Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire, the rest of the teams with serious playoff dreams have serious work to do in the remaining five weeks of the season.

That's where Six-Pointers come in, matches that feature two teams in the thick of the race.

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There aren't many Major League Soccer teams that can be considered save in the MLS playoff race. Other than the Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire, the rest of the teams with serious playoff dreams have serious work to do in the remaining five weeks of the season (though poorly-timed slumps could drop Houston and Chicago back into the mix).

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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...

Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings puts a bicycle kick on goal in the second half of the team's 1-0 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday. (photos by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

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Colorado striker Conor Casey wasn't supposed to be at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.

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A full write-up of last night's 1-0 win over Toronto coming in the next day or so, but I wanted to post this ASAP. Deron White from the Colorado Rapids Examiner told me that he saw National Team winger DaMarcus Beasley walking around the stadium with Cory Gibbs at tonight's game. Beasley is currently riding the bench with Rangers in Scotland. Click to continue reading...

Big game today but then, at this stage of the season, they all are. The Colorado Rapids enter a home and away series against Toronto tonight in Commerce City. That will be followed by a home and away series with San Jose. Very bizarre. Gary Smith is not all that happy about the way the fixtures have been arranged but he can't do anything about it and his prime concern is getting a decent eleven on the field for tonight. 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...

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...

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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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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...

Rapids midfielder Jacob Peterson outleaps Houston defender Wade Barrett during Colorado's 1-0 victory over the league-leading Dynamo on Sunday in Commerce City. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

A little more than a month ago, Rapids defender Julien Baudet was lying on the field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, his wrist and hand pointing one way, his forearm pointing another.

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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...

Random thoughts and ideas from the Colorado Rapids' shameful 3-2 loss against the Fire on Sunday evening in Chicago.

OMAR'S FIRST GOAL: Two things went right on Omar Cummings' goal in the first five minutes of the second half. First, Jamie Smith's shot was difficult enough that Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch couldn't handle it cleanly.

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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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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...

A fresh batch of news tidbits for the Colorado soccer fan. ...

PREKI FINED: Major League Soccer fined Chivas USA head coach Preki Radosavljevic $1,000 for inappropriate conduct directed toward match officials following Chivas USA's 3-1 U.S. Open Cup loss to the Charleston Battery on June 30.

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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...

This week, Craig interviews Rapids Defender Cory Gibbs. Click here to Listen! Each week we ask questions for people - we get little notice of who we'll interview - but if you're on facebook or are a member of Class... Click to continue reading...

Rapids striker Omar Cummings kept Columbus defender Chad Marshall, right, off balance throughout Saturday's game — but couldn't find a goal for Colorado. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Call it yellow-and-black magic.

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Nick LaBrocca celebrates scoring in the second half of the Rapids' 4-0 victory over New York on Saturday night in Commerce City. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Four players scored as the Colorado Rapids poured water on a drowning team, dousing the New York Red Bulls 4-0 on Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

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The 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal in Miami featured a rematch of a Confederations Cup group game from a month earlier. Brazil and the United States had varying approaches to this tournament: The USA wanted to win the event and again qualify for the Confederations Cup while Brazil was bloodletting a promising group of youngsters who have since become household names.

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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...

Rapids striker Omar Cummings has the ball poked away in the second half Wednesday night against Club America. (photo by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Rapids coach Gary Smith said Wednesday's exhibition against Club America at Dick's Sporting Goods Park was a good opportunity for some members of the squad to get playing time against a quality opponent.

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The Colorado Rapids entered their match Saturday night outside Denver with FC Dallas missing Omar Cummings, Colin Clark and Cory Gibbs. Dallas hoped to take advantage of those major contributors' absence by sneaking out of Dick's Sporting Goods Park with a win. 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...