The Colorado Rapids debuted their third kit in style with a 0-0 win over Tigres, after a dramatic penalty shootout that saw the Rapids win 7-6. Tigres, who are coming a disappointing 13th place finish in the Primera Division, are a joint partner of the Rapids and were playing COlorado for the first time. The game had all the signs of a friendly with the Rapids using a ridiculous nine substitutes during the match.

However, the home fans were not disappointed as Colin Clark, who was named man of the match Friday for his play in the Rapids 4-0 hammering of the Red Bulls,  scored the deciding penalty. The win brings the Rapids all time record in international friendlies to an even five winds and five losses. Colorado will net battle an international foe when they take on Everton at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Aug. 3.

The biggest development of the game was the Rapids wearing their newly released third kit for the first time. The kit is the first in team history to feature red and not burgundy. The red is an apparent nod to their partner club Arsenal of the English Premier League.

The Colorado Rapids unveiled their brand new 3rd kit on Tuesday at a private event inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The new kit is comprised by a white jersey, burgundy shorts and white socks, and will only feature in International matches and competitions. The new kit makes it’s debut on Wednesday in a friendly with Mexican club Tigres in Colorado. Do you think we will see a new trend of MLS sides employing 3rd kits? Do you like it? Dislike it? I personally like it myself and hope it catches on league wide. 

The Colorado Rapids released defensive midfielder Rafael Gomes last week, despite the fact the Brazilian had played in seven matches this season and seemed to provide depth at the holding midfield position. Gomes was signed in March from CD Santa Clara of the Portuguese second division. By cutting Gomes by July 1, the Rapids were able to wipe his salary of more than $100,000 from the books. Former Rutgers University standout Nick LaBrocca has started in the position that Gomes was originally slated to play.Colorado also announced they wear a third kit when take on Tigres next Wednesday night. The club will unveil the new look at a press conference Monday. It is unknown what colors will be on the kit.The Rapids take on the New York Red Bulls tomorrow night and will also have the largest Fourth of July fireworks demonstration in the state of Colorado.

The Columbus Crew have released 29 year old Argentinian striker Nicolas Hernandez. Hernandez was acquired in a trade with Colorado, in exchange for Tim Ward. Hernanez made 5 appearances for the Crew, failing to find the net. Nicolas arrived in Major League Soccer in 2006 from Chilean powerhouse Cobreloa. Hernandez was considered to be a talented striker, and one would think the move may be an indicator that Columbus is close to capturing another player. What do you think? Was this move a precursor to another? Differences between player/manager? Just freeing up cap space?

The crosses and chances were there for the Rapids against the Houston Dynamo Saturday night, but the finishing was not. It was a game of missed opportunities for the Rapids, as only one of the team’s 15 shots were on target. While 0-0 draw moved the Rapids into a tie for fifth in the Western Conference, head coach Fernando Clavijo knew his team had squandered a golden opportunity.

“We had five or six very good chances that we didn’t finish,” Clavijo said after the match. “We need more production from different players.”


One player that may see his playing time decreased is Jamaican striker Omar Cummings. Cummings, who has started ten games for the Rapids this season, is likely to get demoted in favor of Conor Casey, who seems to have recovered from a knee injury that left him sidelined for the first two months of the season. Cummings had at least five headers at net against the Dynamo, however, none of them were put on net.


Clavijo mentioned that while Cummings is trying his hardest, the results just aren’t there.


“Omar is working hard, but you need to finish. A striker is measured by his goals,” said Clavijo, who also complimented Casey’s workrate inhis twenty minutes of play.


Look for Casey to start alongside Scotish attacker Tom McManus against the Crew next week. Despite Casey’s return to full strength, the injury bug once again bit the Rapids as midfielders Jacob Peterson and Christian Gomez were taken out due to injury. Peterson was taken out after suffering a knee inury due to a yellow card tackle by Houston defender Craig Waibel, while Gomez was taken out minutes into the second half with an apparent leg injury.


Clavijo felt the referees could have done more to protect the players.


“Gomez was a marked man. I thought the officials were meant to protect skill players, that did not happen in today’s match,” Clavijo said.


While the finishing at the offensive end was below par, the defense at the back played well. Despite only having three defenders at the back, the Rapids had few mistakes during the game. U.S. national team midfielder Pablo Mastroeni looked very comfortable anchoring the back three, where he was accompianed by Ugo Ihemelu and Facundo Erpen. Clavijo called the three, “the best three defenders in the league.”


Wingers Colin Clark and Terry Cook both provided crosses into the box, while a 89th minute header by Clark hit the woodwork and bounced harmlessly away. Expect Cook to return to the starting lineup after Peterson’s injury. The Rapids next take the pitch against the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium on Saturday night.

The Colorado Rapids, who take on the Houston Dynamo tonight at 7:30 p.m., are searching for some much needed points. The team has dropped three out of its last four matches and will need at least a draw to get out of its current sixth-place dwelling. The return home to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is a well needed one for the Rapids. Four of the Rapids’ five victories this season have come at home.

Colorado is once again without the services of goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul, who should be returning from his national team duty after this match. The Rapids may also be without captain Pablo Mastroeni, who reinjured his back in the Untied States’ 8-0 crushing of Barbados. Check back into Americansoccerreader.com Sunday for a recap of the Saturday’s match.

Nothing big to report as the Rapids get ready to take on Toronto FC tonight at BMO Field. Also, half a world away, Senegal is prepping for its game Sunday in the third match of its World Cup Qualifying in African Group six. The Lions of Teranga will take on the low ranking Liberia squad in Monrovia. Bouna Coundoul has not played in the first two qualifiers and he is unlikely to see the pitch with Tony Sylva, who is the goalkeeper for Turkish Super League side Trabzonspor, playing well in the first two matches.

Rating: 3(Likely)

Clint Mathis was present at Los Angeles Galaxy practice earlier this week, as is said to be considering a return to Major League Soccer. The 31 year old midfielder was traded by the LA Galaxy to Greek side Ergotelis FC, earlier this year. Mathis went on to score one goal in eight appearances for the greek side, but was released by the club at the end of the season. Mathis has previously played for Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, and Red Bull New York in Major League Soccer. “Mathis earned 46 caps for the United States National Team, and it unsure whether LA will offer him a contract, or trade his rights.

Saturday brings the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2008 season opener against a Colorado Rapids team that has almost as many mysteries about it as the Galaxy… almost. The mysteries, however, are different in nature. While the Galaxy’s revolve around players inexperienced and unproven in the league, Colorado brought in plenty of experience, but it remains to be seen if all the different parts can gel.For more on the Galaxy’s new players refer to my earlier entry, Galaxy: New Faces.

Colorado brought in some big names in the off-season in Jose Burciaga Jr. and former MVP Christian Gomez. The left side combination of Burciaga and Colin Clarke for Colorado could give the Galaxy fits. Burciaga’s ability to go forward could pull Beckham into a far more defensive role than he would like on the right wing. That’s not to say that the tandem of Beckham and Klein couldn’t do the same thing; it will be a see-saw battle that will be really fun to watch. This flank will be one of the two areas of the field that I believe will be the match ups to pay attention to as the game unfolds.

The second area to watch, central midfield, involves Colorado’s other big off-season acquisition. Colorado’s midfield as a whole may very well be the best in the entire league on paper with the addition of Christian Gomez. His central pairing with Pablo Mastroeni is the thing team’s dream of (Think Clarke and DeRosario in Houston).This match up seems to be an uphill climb for the Galaxy when you think of them slotting Josh Tudela and Alvaro Pires into their side of midfield. Knowing this, there may be a chance Landon Donovan slides into the midfield lending his ability to hold and distribute the ball under pressure. And pressure is exactly what you can expect from a player of Mastroeni’s pedigree.

One place the Galaxy may have an actual advantage is in their defensive match up. Yes, you read that correctly. Despite it being one of the Galaxy’s biggest concerns, their defense is matching up against an offense that was very ineffective last year. Colorado failed to pick up a striker in the off-season, which leaves them with only three natural strikers to choose from. The likely pairing of Hercules Gomez and Conor Casey is not nearly as formidable as it may sound. Casey’s speed is not a threat and his real weapon, size, is matched well by Abel Xavier. Gomez’s speed is definitely a factor normally, but coming off of a season ending knee injury, it is unlikely he is in top form yet. If Colorado can’t find a way to finish outside of Christian Gomez, than the Galaxy have a chance.

My “Homer” prediction: Galaxy 2 – Colorado 1 (Ruiz, Donovan - Gomez (PK))

My “Homer” Lineup:

GK: Cronin

Def: Klein, Xavier, Vanney, Gavin (Unfortunately)

Mid: Beckham, Alvaro, Donovan, Allen

Fwd: Gordon, Ruiz