Rapids Class VI

VI Questions with Coach Clavijo: Firecracker of a Victory!

Well, I just finished watching the July 4th game via MLSNet.tv - I'm very pleased at spending money to watch such a fine game! Coach Clavijo and the boys beat up on New York in front of a capacity crowd and he's been kind enough to answer some questions about the victory.

I. You gave Mehdi Balloucy his first start of the season against New York. What was the reasoning behind this decision and what do you think of his performance?

Mehdi Ballouchy is a great player that got bad news at the beginning of the 2008 season; Christian Gomez was coming to town,

With two very good talents in the team was a little difficult to find him a place, but also the last 14 games Christian was an easy target for other teams bad boys.

Having Mehdi in the midfield last game created a bigger problem for NY to contain. Mehdi had a great game and I am very happy for him.

II. Conor Casey came out at half time for Omar Cummings. What was the decision of this substitution?

Conor Casey’s strengths are holding the ball, knowledge and winning ball in the air, well for first time this season he was having a hard time doing that, he didn’t looked comfortable from the beginning; also after we score 2 goals I knew NY will open up and go forward so we were looking to add speed up front with Omar Cummings, Omar was presented with 4 clear chances to score and put one away.

We are looking for him to put away 50% of his chances.

III. Christian Gomez was substituted when the victory was secure. Was this to protect the star player, due to injury precautions, or some tatical decision?

Like I said before, Christian is a easy target for defenders and the referees are not protecting him, He was out with an injury from the game vs. Houston and is slowly recovering, at half time after talking to him, we decided to see how he was going to do in the second half, but after 5 minutes I realize he was not going to be able to help us without risking further injury.

IV. Colin Clark had and outstanding game with a fantastic cross and a beauty of a goal. As a young professional, what has Colin done successfully to become a starting player and which parts of his game does he still need to address to take his game to the next level?

Colin Clark is his worse enemy, he has all the skill to succeed but need to bring the same energy every game.

We are talking to him every day and every training and he has all the tools to be a be dynamic player,

Consistency is a key for him.

V. After a June that saw the team go 1-3-1, what does the big victory mean to the team that is now two points from first in the West, and how do you plan on keeping the team focused for it's first back to back victories when the Rapids take on the last place expansion team, San Jose?

This win only reinforce what I have mention to them all along, BELIEVE , we are a very good team, but cant miss that many empty nets every game and make innocent mistakes all the time.

VI. Rafeal Gomes was released from the team last week. What was the reason for his release?

Rafael Gomes was a casualty of MLS rules, after July 1 all contracts will be guaranteed.

Rafael need it more time to adapt to a new language and new way of life and football, but that time was not there. We looked at the roster and could not have justify giving more time.

Posted by mark at July 7, 2008 01:35 PM