The Rapids: Views from All Over on the Day Before + A Signing

By: Jeff | March 28th, 2008

With the season starting tomorrow (yippee!), I feel like there’s something I should mention: I don’t do predictions. A fitful history of blown calls - often very bad misses - argues against. As for previews, I’m happy to pass on breaking details like injuries (see Class VI’s interview with Fernando Clavijo for the latest) ahead of the weekend’s games, but generally avoid anything grandiose in the knowledge that what I might type comes out of the file I keep up my ass. Besides, having seen all of three of Major League Soccer’s 14 teams kick around the ball, I don’t feel like I have the best bead on what to expect.

That said, the prediction bug is going around like a benign flu in a box full of flu victims. For example, FC Rocky compiled a cool little project in which they invited Colorado Rapids bloggers (plus Brucio from Du Nord and Lionel Bienvenu) to post predictions on the 2008 season. The guys from Class VI, Black Panther, WeWantRapidsMan, and FC Rocky throw out some interesting stuff - including disproportionate and undue love for Red Bull New York. But turning to what all y’all (are you out there?) are here to read - e.g. stuff about the Rapids - the local consensus pegs Colorado at either second or third in the Western Conference. Not too shabby.

For what it’s worth, however, a collective poll I organize for Center Holds It has the Rapids tied for 9th/10th with the LA Galaxy. If this leaves you feeling depressed, think of it this way: Saturday’s game should be pretty good.

Well, that’s that. Tomorrow’s the opener. Injuries acknowledged, I like the Rapids chances - quite a bit, actually. LA’s defense - combining “green” players with slow, older ones - should give the Rapids offense a chance to work on their attacking chemistry. And fatigue should take care of LA’s star attackers, David Beckham due to Wednesday’s game against France and Landon Donovan after his heroic exertions against Poland.

Last but not least, it seems there’s a new Rapid in town: Kelly Gray joined up fairly recently. My advice on this one: don’t fall too hard for the “versatility trap.” Gray can play all over, but I’ve heard it said he’s better wide right. So, maybe cover/substitution for Terry Cooke, or a right-sided defender? Just a thought.

As for the weekend, I’ll post something after I watch the game…whenever that happens (hell of a weekend coming). So, look for that.

UPDATE: Some of you may not know this is part of a project I assigned myself back in January. If you care to follow that, I posted the final pre-season framing for the project over on Center Holds It.