But even with Kljestan, Chivas is not penetrating the Rapids’ defense. As far as scoring goes, they either explode (like last week vs. DC) or struggle (like against Houston before that). I don’t see them or any other team exploding against Colorado.

On our side of the ball, the Rapids have never lost against Chivas at home (although they came close in 2006. Relive one of the most exciting Rapids games of all time with me, won’t you?). A win would finally put Colorado over 0.500 for the first time since opening day.

Also note: tomorrow is Bouna’s last game with the club for about a month. He’s going over to Senegal to help his nation qualify for the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. I don’t have a stake in Africa, so why not: Come on, Senegal! Bouna deserves it. I’ve never seen a more fearless goalkeeper.

Another interesting tidbit: the Rapids’ match up page has Colin playing right back. Now that should be interesting to watch if it happens. It looks like he will be assuming the role of the great oxymoron in soccer and be an attacking defender, which means Fernando probably wants the team to play a bit more aggressively. I still doubt we’ll see any goals before the 60’ tomorrow, but who knows?

My prediction: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Chivas USA.

And that’s if Kljestan plays well. If not: shutout.

Other games:
Columbus Crew 2-1 New England Revolution

DC United 1-2 Toronto

Dallas 2-1 Real Salt Lake

Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 Kansas City Wizards

New York Red Bulls 1-1 Chicago Fire (This should be an incredible game. Catch it if you can.)

Dallas 1-1 Houston Dynamo

New England Revolution 2-1 DC United

While an average keeper would do well with this defense, it would be nice to have a solid backup at the only place in the roster where the Rapids are a bit thin.

Well, now they do. In exchange for Jovan and Kelly Gray, the Rapids have nabbed San Jose’s backup: Preston Burpo. He played for Chivas USA in 2006-07. He’s no star, and I doubt he will be down the road at 35 years of age, but in 2006, he did play 19 games for Chivas USA, and averaged 1.21 goals allowed per game. With the Rapids defense, he should more then a placeholder.

As for the Rapids’ end of the deal, Gray is no star. And Jovan: all I can say is it’s about time. He has had far more starts last year then he deserved. He did, on the other hand, have 6 goals, which was the best on the team (ugh), but three were on penalties which would have been made just as easily (probably) by Herculez or even Terry. He might get the new club boost for a few games, but my guess is that Kirovski is on his way out.

So, let’s get to know the newest member of the Club, and enjoy a shutout of RSL from 2006 by Preston.

The biggest question on my mind as we await the game against Houston (with much anticipation, by the way) is who will be starting. The Rapids showed at the beginning of the year that they can play well in the 4-5-1. I would still prefer it because, as I’ve stated and overstated here on The Rapids Offside, this team’s power is in its midfield. A 4-5-1 allows the Rapids to keep LaBrocca on the field, and if there’s a spot for another midfielder, he’s certainly earned it. On the other hand, a 4-4-2 gets another forward up there, and Peterson’s goal in his first start this year makes a compelling case for it.

If I had to choose now, and everyone was healthy, it would go something like this:
———————Bouna——————–
—Kosuke—Facundo—Ugo—Jose—
Terry—Pablo—Christian—Nick—Colin
——————-Herculez——————-

That striker up front is a hard choice, but with a five man midfield (a few of which are very capable of scoring), Herculez, Jacob, Tom, or Omar are all fine choices.

But, looking at The Match Up page on the Rapids website, Fernando is trying something different this week. It’s right about 2/3 of the time, but it has projected Jordan Harvey playing in the back instead of Jose, Terry and Colin are benched (like last week), and Peterson’s on the left wing. If this is right, it sound’s like something Fernando might do. He seems to be playing around with the line-up while it’s still early in the season and the Rapids have a couple of easier games ahead of them, and that might be a good idea. I will certainly be interested to see how this works out, and if there’s any early season game that’s good for trying this out, it’s this one.

Safe to say the Rapids are feeling pretty chuffed these days. With some big outlets showering them with praise – ESPN.com, Goal.com, USSoccerplayers.com – even believing in them (GASP!), The Official Organ could even take a day off…not that they ever will. Hell, the last two of those outlets even suggest that retaining head coach Fernando Clavijo might not have been such a bad idea (sacrilege or insanity; you decide!). Another win – and with the San Jose Earthquakes on the menu for Game 4, why wouldn’t they get it? – would in all probability cement Colorado’s status as April’s Flavor of the Month. Take a big lick, Rapids fans. You’ve earned the sweet, sweet reward.

Getting back to the San Jose game, predicting a win seems like leading into a jinx with your chin. As such, it’s not surprising to see wewantrapidman play it safe (and while I’m mentioning that site, I may as well plug it; that’s a good source, people, better than The Official Organ by a country mile…several country miles, even; where else can you read good dish about all the $ tied up on the bench – or even off it – or get the scoop on a possible May/June absence for the magical Bouna? Nowhere. So, go. Don’t waste your time here; I’m like one of those dolls with a damn pull-string…GO!). I’m just going to say, caution be damned! (Referring now to the content before the long, parenthetical digression.) Look, in your heart of hearts, you know you’re already counting this a win, Rapids fans. You smirked at wewantrapidsman’s cautionary mention of Gavin Glinton and Kei Kamara; c’mon, admit it. You’re already dreaming of 3-1, building on that goals-for tally, etc. It’s OK. That unfamiliar sensation you’re feeling is called optimism. No, I’m not surprised it’s new to you. Enjoy it a while because it’s nothing like automatic…I’m just sayin’.

With a win looking likely – hell, why don’t I just guarantee it? – Denver/Colorado locals could do a lot worse than head to The Dick this Saturday. There’s a really killer promo (kids’ tickets free with one adults, which makes even sideline seats affordable; it’s listed at the bottom of this), and the good folks of Class VI are advertising a pre-game tail-gate. Good times…made better by a win….remember, I guaranteed it.

Now, name me one category in which the Rapids topped New England. Well, obviously, they topped them in the one category that counts: they scored the game’s lone goal, that dreadfully soft thing that Nick LaBrocca powered over a mysteriously rooted Adam Cristman (good lord, man, I play the air like that). So, they game ended 1-0 to Colorado..and, as the match report tattooed on The Official Organ tells me, that propelled the Rapids to the top of the West.

Getting back to my theme, though, New England was, and I believe is, the better team. The polish, the movement, the openings they found again and again – none of them more often that Khano Smith plowing down the Rapids’ left against Kosuke Kimura: all these should have combined for a Revolution win. As Greg Lalas noted just minutes before the Rapids goal, New England had begun the erosion-esque process of breaking down the Rapids…so, what happened?

Got me. But here’s a guess. Colorado succeeded in limiting the Revs to chances from range. Kenny Mansally, the Revs most dangerous player by a good distance, launched a few stingers, Kheli Dube, the Revs’ Zimbabwean forward (and forgive me if I butchered the spelling), broke through once late, but, again, there stood Bouna (Time!) look a wall…that dropped the ball…thereby allowing him to be whacked by New England’s players.

But what does it matter in the end? How much does it matter that New England looked the sharper team, that Colorado looked more aimless than a 29-year-old man with a philosophy degree trying to talk his way through a job interview? In the end, the man who found the opening and exploited it wore white…ish…grey-ish…that color Colorado wears.

And like The Official Organ says, they’re top of the West tonight, so who cares how they got there?

Right. I’ll be back tomorrow with some perspectives from other Rapids-related sites. tonight’s wasn’t the prettiest win in Rapids history. Well, maybe it was. This isn’t a team famous for winning pretty. But they did win. And things are looking pretty good. At least, that is, in goal and defense…no time to rest yet, you guys.

Having rambled way down below – they say people resort to verbosity to cloak ignorance, y’know – I’ll keep things short here. I can handle most of what I’m seeing in there and, therefore, see no reason to comment. Feel free to quibble in the comments.

But a few numbers associated with a few players look just…wrong or, at best, a little off. Here a quick review…but do keep in mind that I don’t think anyone adult should have to live on just under $18K:

Off
Mehdi Balloucy ($93K): Mmm…no. He’s contributed too little, both in Colorado and RSL.
Herculez Gomez (~$52K): This has as much to do with what they’re paying Conor Casey as anything.
Jovan Kirovski ($220K): If he wasn’t last year’s leading scorer, he’d be down below…god, that’s depressing.

Wrong
Conor Casey ($190K): I know the player isn’t happy either…still, can I get paid a lot to limp?
Colin Clark ($33K): It’s a shame his salary hasn’t yet risen with his star.
Bouna Coundoul ($33K): This is your starting ‘keeper, people. He has started in the African Nations Cup.
Facundo Erpen ($125K): Yeah, I know the Rapids inherited that figure, but for what you get?

The more I stare at the list, the more I think the majority of players can fit in either category. Can’t say I understand how Major League Soccer comes up with salary figures, but only that it doesn’t tally. To give an example, how does Jacob Peterson come so close to six figures with Clark and Coundoul as low as they are? Nope..I don’t get it.

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.