Rapids GM Discusses the DP

By: Clint | August 29th, 2007

Yahoo! Sports had a frank discussion with Rapids GM Jeff Plush about the DP spot and what Colorado could realistically do with it. Highlights of the article include:

For plenty of European-based superstars who could be tempted to follow David Beckham to the United States, Denver doesn’t fit their picture of an ideal American adventure. “We have our selling points and we also have things that some people might see as a downside,” Plush admitted. “Denver is not Los Angeles – that is why those of us who live here love it.” [having lived in big cities my whole life I can say amen to that, big time - Clint]
“But we are no good to someone who is going to be attracted to that glitzier scene and the flashbulbs and Hollywood. They are not going to come to Denver and that is OK. If they are averse to cold weather, they are going to have a problem living here. It is all part of the process of trying to find the right (player).”
“I would never bring in someone just because they were a great name,” Plush said. “We don’t need notoriety just to get someone in here who is going to be a problem off the pitch. We will take our time.”
A firm believer that one man cannot make a team, Plush is likely to target a solid, dependable European player who probably isn’t a household name in this country but could make an instant impact.
“You are probably looking for someone who has spent time in this kind of environment,” Plush said. “A lot of the French and Italian players are used to cold weather climates and love skiing – they know Denver and the mountains and Vail and all that. That is the kind of thing that would give us an advantage, of course not with everyone, but with certain players it would be an attraction.”

Hmmm… Used to cold weather. From a country that loves snow/skiing. Not a massive name but a quality player that always makes an instant impact? Am I crazy or does that sound EXACTLY like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? The guy just ‘retired’ and might love living a few hours from Aspen. He would instantly be a top 5 striker in MLS and would immediately make Colorado better for a year or two (unless he blows out a knee in his first game - wait, what am I saying, that’s precisely what would happen!).

Full article here: http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ro-rapids082807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns