Former Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith has a new job. After battling with Rapids management over
decision-making, the club announced that they wouldn't offer Smith a new contract. The 2010 MLS Cup
winner is instead the new manager at Stevenage, currently 6th in England's League One. He is
expected to name his Colorado assistant Steve Guppy as his assistant with Stevenage.
A name that has been cropping up since Graham Westley's departure last week is Gary Smith. In
fact, Smith is currently the favourite for the job with bookmakers and is reportedly on Phil
Wallace's 6 man shortlist along with the likes of Paul Buckle and Paul Ince. However, Smith is the
one candidate that not many supporters know much about.
Well, that time off was a grand total of 3 days. Within the last hour the Rapids have announced
that Gary Smith will not be returning as head coach in 2011.
Smith was out of contract and it had been reported a month or so ago that Colorado and Gary had
agreed on financial terms for a new contract.
When a story surfaced almost a month ago detailing issues between Colorado head coach Gary Smith
and technical director Paul Bravo, it was clear one of them wouldn't be back for 2012.
As it turns out, Smith will be the one not returning.
The Colorado Rapids parted ways with Smith on Monday, announcing that they would not renew the
contract of the coach who led the Rapids to the 2010 MLS Cup title.
So, yeah, about that whole post where I said the Rapids will be beat by Metapan and the roster
selection was not great. Well Colorado proved me an idiot with a 3-1 win last night. The reserve
squad, lead by Steve Guppy and augmented by Wells Thompson and Tyrone Marshall, pulled together in
a tough environment and dominated the scoreboard.
Their Words I'm worn out and I didn't actually have to play. But it was a great effort, a great
team effort, which is what we're about. Colorado assistant coach Steve Guppy. video platformvideo
managementvideo solutionsvideo player Other Sources Freddy Adu may get chance to face D.C. United,
his former team - from The Washington Post's Steven Goff: "It's a little bit sore, but that's
expected.
The Colorado Rapids looked like a team raising the white flag and giving up on the CONCACAF
Champions League when they fielded a reserve team in a must-win game against Salvadoran side Isidro
Metapan.
At least that was the initial impression. The Rapids reserves had other plans.
Colorado faces Isidro Metapan tonight in El Salavador at 8pm MDT. The game is delayed until 10:30pm
on FOX Soccer Channel but can be watched live on the CONCACAF Champions League site. The supporters
groups are gathering at the British Bulldog for this one, presumably to watch the live stream on
big screens.
Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
The Colorado Rapids could advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League by
winning both of their last two group matches. Even so, it looks like club is throwing in the towel
on its tournament run.
Colorado sent a reserve-heavy squad to face Isidro Metapan in El Salvador for Wednesday's match,
and head coach Gary Smith didn't make the trip, either, instead leaving assistant coach Steve Guppy
to handle the team.
PhillySoccerPage: What do you see as the most important thing for your team coming out
for the second half of the season?
Steve Guppy: Well, we're kind of hoping that everyone can stay fit. It seems that with the group
we have we've suffered more than our share of injuries, with a lot of key players being out
injured.
