Class VI members give a preview of the 2008 Rapids Midfield.
First up is Nick Thomas of We Want Rapidman
Potentially, the midfield is arguably the most exciting part of the team with the recent signing of MLS MVP Christian Gomez. Even if he may actually play a more forward position role, he will still be the creative hub of the team. Let’s hope he doesn’t get injured or lose form as there are a heap of expectations on him.
He should form an experienced and synergistic partnership with club captain Mastroeni. It must be the hope that Gomez will lift the performances of others around him. For example, Cooke had a quiet season overall last year, often appearing frustrated and somewhat isolated. He is still Colorado’s best provider of a crossed ball and we will all be hoping he recaptures some of his best form.
Ballouchy will need to post more consistent performances. He undoubtedly has the talent. Last year, Clarke had a breakout season and remains a player of great potential. Both of these players should be energized by Gomez’s presence. Herculez Gomez appears to be on the road to recovery and his presence will boost the team and the crowd. With him operating speedily on one flank, Cooke on the other and Gomez directing things, it all looks very good on paper. Let’s just remember that soccer is played on grass though. We have the potential but can we deliver?
Next we'll see what Deron White has to say
It is all about Christian Gomez this year. Rapids fans who have pined for a #10 attacking midfielder finally have their man. Christian can hold the ball, he can dribble, he can pass, and unlike the last "#10" the team had, he can score as well. Gomez will make the midfield much better than last year and the improvement will make the team a whole lot more fun to watch.
For Mastroeni this means he can finally be the Pitbull D-mid that he has built his reputation on. The Pablo that Rapids fans have watched over the years has not consistently been the player that National team fans have loved watching. This has much to do with his being shuffled between the defense and defensive mid positions. It also has to do with his being teamed with an ill-fitting assortment of midfield partners who either didn't fit his game, or simply were not that good. That sad history should all come to an end now. Pablo will have the partner that he is best suited for. The #10 will run the offense so Pablo can be the destroyer on defense.
For Cooke, Gomez simply means a little better passing. I don't expect a change to his game. Cooke will continue to slip down the line, and look to cross and frustratingly won't cut to the middle when given the opportunity. With Christian supplying the passes, we can expect that the weight of the ball won't out run Cooke as he pulls up to watch it roll harmlessly across the end line.
As excited as most Rapids fans are--and should be--about Gomez, I remain very excited about Clark. Clark's pace and tenacity made things happen for the Rapids last season. More "cultured" fans will criticize Colin for over-running the play, going to ground too easily, and missing some shots. For my money he was often the only player with the pace to chase down the ball, and as a result found himself with few options as the team really lacked pace elsewhere in the attack. Hopefully, this year he can continue to start, grow in confidence, and improve. With luck Gomez won't be trailing the play, and we will have some forwards that can keep up as well.
Overall, there is a lot to be excited about: an accomplished d-mid, an accomplished a-mid, a classic winger, and a pacy prospect. It will certainly be more entertaining than last year.
I have three concerns with the midfield for this season. First, any injuries to Pablo or Gomez will set the team back, we just don't have another solid d-mid or attacking player to fill the holes. Second, I don't generally like the a-mid/d-mid setup that I've been praising here. I think it works great in tournaments. Over a season the team will need Pablo to competently support the attack. Otherwise Christian will get marked, kicked, and beaten out of games. Finally, the midfield will create chances, but someone has to finish them.... But, that's an issue for the next installment.
Dave Ferrey gives us his thoughts
Have the Rapids done anything in 2008 to improve one of 2007's worst scoring teams in MLS? The answer, as I write this, is yes, they have done something. But rereading my question, I realize the right question should have began, "have the Rapids done enough....". I'm afraid the answer to that question is no.
The team obtained Gomez, one of the finest offensive midfielders in MLS the past 3 years, that's a good thing and by itself will improve the team. Unfortunately, that last sentence also includes the fatal words which I'm afraid will result in another year of offensive disappointment. See if you can spot them.....Yup, it's the phrase, "by itself". As I write this, adding Gomez is the only change to an offense that was the second lowest scoring offense in MLS.
Of course, there is more to midfield play then just offense. Stopping an opponent's offensive thrust and transitioning quickly to your own can be a very effective way to create scoring chances. That's where Mastroeni comes in. Pablo returns to defensively anchor the center of the midfield. This could end up being Pablo's most effective season ever as a Rapid. With the addition of Gomez, Pablo can concentrate on controlling the midfield defensively.
In additional, Gomez will provide a reliable outlet for Pablo as he cleans up and dispossesses the ball from the opponents. At this point Pablo may not be a mainstay of the National Team as they prepare for the next World Cup. While that may disappoint Pablo, it will allow him to concentrate on the Rapids and help form a more cohesive central midfield.
When healthy, Cooke has been able to consistently delivery dangerous balls into the box. Unfortunately, the Rapids have been consistently unable to convert them. When motivated Cooke can play the full length of the field and help defensively. He would be more effective if he could become a genuine threat to take the ball inside and do something productive. To date, that hasn't happened.
Clark blossomed at the midpoint of last year to become the Rapids most dangerous player with the ball. He fearlessly took on defenders, sometime beating them and sometimes getting fouled. Clark is relentless up and down the field and showed no hesitation moving around to make or find space. Colin holds one of the keys to the Rapids offensive improvement.
The biggest key in 2008 clearly, however, is Christian Gomez. Can he bring his creative offensive game to Colorado and maintain his goals and assist numbers? Or will the lack of other good players allow defenders to bottle him up?
I don't know where this leaves Ballouchy. Perhaps as trade bait for a speedy wing player? Prior to the acquisition of Gomez, Mehdi had the potential to be the Rapids offensive organizer. One rumor has C. Gomez playing forward which could put Mehdi in the a-mid role. Or perhaps the team will go with five midfielders. This should become clearer in the next month.
The Rapids failed to take advantage of their huge field in 2007. The team in 2008 needs to play quickly and use the huge space at DSG to their advantage. Gomez has the vision to open up the field, but his teammates need to quickly and intelligently move off the ball. Much has been said about the Rapids failure to add more scoring punch. Gomez can score and if he brings his "A" game and Clark continues to improve, perhaps additional help up top isn't necessary. That's two very big "ifs."
Daniel Clark has his view of the midfield
The midfield is strongly considered the most improved part of the Rapids team. In 2007, the 4 midfielders who saw the most field accounted for only 3 goals, 12 assists, and 18 shots on goal. The midfield needed a spark and at the cost of our DP and a first round pick, we got that spark.
Gomez, the 2006 MLS MVP, was introduced as the new Rapids attacking mid in early February. His stat line from 2007 speaks for itself: 10 goals, 9 assists, and 44 shots on goal. He will definitely open up the sides to let Clark and Cooke run freely up and down the pitch.
The 2 wides should be able to increase their 2007 output of 2 goals and 2 assists (Clark) and 0 goals and 7 assists (Cooke). Those numbers may not look impressive, but with the company up front, it was hard to manage much more. Look for Clark to have a breakout year with around 6-8 goals and 7-9 assists.
Cooke will do what he does best and distribute the ball around as needed. As one of the best pure wingers in the MLS, look for him to continue getting assist after assist. My prediction for Cooke is 2-3 goals and 8-10 assists. Pablo will dominate the defensive mid position and control the attack in the middle as always. His possession control will be critical if the Rapids want to move to the next level.
The Rapids have a few options for using formations this year. They could choose from a diamond 4-4-2 with Gomez up front or a 3-5-2 with a midfield of Clark--Gomez--Pablo--Ballouchy--Cooke . The Rapid’s midfield should be ranked among the best this year in the MLS.
And finally we'll hear from Ben Woolf of From College to Pros
Ok, Midfield. This position is arguably where the Rapids needed most help in 2007. I know some of you are yelling at the computer, "No idiot, we needed strikers," but I contend that we had people who know how to run fast and score, we just didn't have anyone who can pass to them. As I discussed previously, the defense was rock solid in '07 but then the ball died in midfield. While Pablo Mastroeni is one of the best midfield destroyers in MLS, he isn't a great passer or creator. Teams playing against the Rapids quickly learned that the ball was going to come out of the back and head towards the wings. There wasn't anyone to control play through the midfield and the Rapids were one dimensional. How many times do you remember cursing Kirovski for giving up the ball in midfield? Exactly.
That leads us to my starting discussion...who was on the wings? Cookie held down the right side of midfield for the entire season but he isn't dynamic enough to constantly create while defenders cover him. He was able to make seven assists, a drop in production from 2006, and he'll need to improve in 2008 to keep youngsters like LaBrocca, Colaluca and DiRaimondo on the bench. On the left side the position was a mess through mid-season until Colin Clark emerged. Clark showed rough talent for creativity and blistering pace which would be a great compliment to a strong central midfield. However, the central midfield was terrible and he was left struggling through defenders and opposed to receiving a good ball with open grass in front of him.
That is my reasoning to say that the midfield needed the most help to start 2008. And man, did we get it. The Rapids went out on a limb and traded their first round pick in 2009's draft and the DP slot for a couple years to DC United for the right to sign Christian Gomez. Then they signed him to a league max contract somewhere in the $400,000 range. If the bet pays off the Rapids will have a great midfield where Gomez can create and direct traffic with confidence knowing that if he looses possession, Pablo will be there to break someone's shin and get the ball back. Anytime the Rapids get the ball in 2008, Gomez should be calling for it. Defenders on the other team will have to be on him like glue, sometimes two at a time. That is where the skills of Colin Clark and Terry Cooke will really shine, because they can run into open parts of the field and take on defenders. In 2008 the Rapids won't be one dimensional with an out of position Jovan Kirovski trying to control the offense. Opposing teams will have to respect the central midfield and that will open up speedy forwards and wingers.
On the other hand, if the Gomez has a terrible injury, doesn't click with the team, is played out of position or just plain sucks it up in his new home; the Rapids will be killed with "I told you so" from every journalist in the country. The fans will revolt and it will lead to Clavijo being fired that much faster. I for one am hopeful that the Rapids made the right move. Christian Gomez is a game changer.
If you look at the Rapids' roster the midfield is DEEEEEEP in numbers but I'm not so sure in talent. After Gomez, Pablo, Cooke and Clark you have Mehdi Ballouchy, Nico Colaluca, John DiRaimondo, Nick LaBrocca, Ciaran O'Brien and Scott Campbell. 2008 will be time for the second year guys to prove they can play in the league. I've heard positive comments from the coaching staff with regards to LaBrocca and Colaluca. Look for them to earn some playing time as second half subs. Ballouchy is somewhat adrift after coming in to much fanfare from management and fan disappointment in the stands. With C. Gomez and Ballouchy's 2007 performance I don't see him in the Rapids' plans. I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded in 2008 for a draft pick or something. Draftees O'Brien and Campbell will have less pressure to perform as rookies but a good run on the reserves could move them up the depth chart.
Tony Sanneh and Jose Cancela are off the team after contributing little in 2007.
So there we are Rapids fans. Look for great improvement through the center of the park in 2008, opening up the wings to use that big DSG Park pitch. Forwards should have better service and more chances to score.
Thanks gents, we're looking forward to your review of the Rapids' forward line soon!
Posted by mark at February 22, 2008 02:01 PM