Rapids Preview: Dynamite “D” in Denver

By: Jeff | March 20th, 2008

I read somewhere that Colorado Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo made building a solid defensive corps his top priority for 2007 (here? Yep; it’s toward the bottom). I’ll leave it to others to explain how taking care of half of the overall equation brought to fruition Clavijo’s “Three-Year Plan,” but the numbers argue he succeeded in that specific aim: after surrendering 49 goals in 2006, and too often in bunches, the Rapids allowed a stingy 34 goals through 30 regular season games in ’07. Let’s just say it could have been beautiful…

As much as Rapids fans may want to forget 2007, keeping that defense together seems a good idea. Good news: a couple minor departures aside - Tony Sanneh (who was old) and Brandon Prideaux (not the best; not the worst either) - Colorado did keep their defense together. Bouna Coundoul returns in goal, along with all or parts of the following (“parts” noted parenthetically where appropriate): Mike Petke (gimpy ankle), Ugo Ihemelu (brokedick hip); Dan Gargan (lame knee); Facundo Erpen; Stephen Keel (though he’s new-ish, isn’t he?); and Kosuke Kimura. It’s possible I missed a player or two in there, so do forgive any errors.

In an attempt to strengthen that defense (or, to be honest, to help with some other on-field need), the Rapids brought in a couple new players: Jose Burciaga Jr. from the Kansas City Wizards and Tim Ward from the Columbus Crew…and let us never speak of Chase Hilgenbrinck again.

As well all know, defense isn’t just a team’s defenders. One only needs to type “Pablo Mastroeni” for anyone to get that. He, along with a few other players, will do everything they can to keep the ball away from and out of Coundoul’s goal. And I know that, in the modern era, every player on the field has defensive responsibilities, but I’m focusing here on those for whom defensive duties are primary.

That only leaves the question of how they’ll all fit and work together…and that’s what comes below.

The Parts
Goalkeepers: Bouna Coundoul, Mike Graczyk, Justin Hughes
Defenders: Jordan Harvey, Dan Gargan, Facundo Erpen, Jose Burciaga Jr., Mike Petke, Stephen Keel, Ugo Ihemelu, Tim Ward, Kosuke Kimura, Cesar Zambrano (I thought this dude was a midfielder).
Defensive Midfielders: Rafael Gomes (from what I hear), Pablo Mastroeni, Ciaran O’Brien…and quite probably a bunch of other players. Again, forgive my blind-spots. I’ll have this stuff down cold by the sixth week; I promise…

How They’ll Fit Together
If memory serves - and it’s all too possible it doesn’t - Colorado generally plays a 4-4-2. Assuming that’s correct, as well as a healthy individual players, I expect they’ll line up something like this (left-to-right):

GK: Coundoul
Defenders: Burciaga Jr. - Erpen - Petke - Ihemelu
Midfield: Mastroeni (camped out over them)

How They’ll Work (I Think)
Holy crap do these guys have lots of cover/competition for spots! That’s not only good news for Rapids-nation, it also makes a mockery of my expected line-up. For example, if Burciaga busts on the left, Erpen played that position for DC United - not always well, I know, but he’d be experienced and comfortable right away. Ihemelu could play centrally or out right and that doesn’t even get into all the possible permutations the Rapids can field on any given Saturday. Injuries forced them to do that plenty last season and it’s reassuring to know they can do it all again. (Significantly, however, there are those injuries. Is the physio huffing ether down in Denver or what?)

Simply put, the Rapids remain strong and have a hell of a lot of flexibility in the back because they didn’t give up anything meaningful. With Burciaga, they gained some offensive skills and, with Ward, they gained some dirt-cheap (as in free; he’s Generation Adidas) back-up talent.

At the same time, it’s not all sweetness and light. Burciaga strikes me as an “X-Factor.” Getting caught out often as he does, he’s not the best defender out there. Even if I get the impression he improved since moving mile-high, the same goes for Erpen; he gave DC fans fits for years with over-eager defending. Two guys like that on one back-line can spell trouble. Another player I have always found unsettling: Coundoul. More than once a game, he comes out so rangy and ragged that the scares the bejesus out of me. All the same, he gets the job done - even when he looks like he has no clue doing it.

Anyway, those are the liabilities, such as they are. In all honesty, I expect the Rapids defense will be fine in 2008. Maybe that’s why there’s not much to say here. I’ll get to the offense tomorrow….and don’t think I’ll be as stuck for words on that post.