Rapids Class VI

Coach Gary Smith speaks with Class VI

Gary Smith was kind enough to agree to be interviewed. Now keep in mind I'm no journalist and this was done via Telephone - so the answers are not his exact words but what I was able to write down

I. You've gone 3-2 since you've taken over the team. What is the single most important thing you implemented or changed to get the team's fortunes reversed?

Coach smith felt sure that it is because we're playing a 4-4-2. He feels the shape for a lot of players gives them stability. It's not too complicated to understand and it's important to stick with it.

II. Historically, MLS coaches that don't have years of playing or as an assistant coach within MLS have had difficulties finding success because of how different the league is from the rest of the world. Do you feel you have a deep enough understanding of the league's nuances to be ready to take the job full time?

It's a significant decision to make considering his role with Arsenal. He says he's slowly but surely coming to terms with the league, the players, and the demands.

And just as importantly with the climate - playing through the summer instead of winter months, like in Europe, adds greater stress to the players .

If the opportunity were to arise to take the position permanently, he certainly foresees successful times ahead.

III. Going into the season, the Rapids traded their Beckham slot to DC United along with a first round draft pick for Christian Gomez and made him the highest paid player on the team. Why has Christian lost his role your team selections?

He said given poor run of form, leading to Fernando Clavijo's exit, he needed to build more of workman platform for Christian Gomez to flourish.

Following the Kansas City game with three away games, he felt it would be tough for Christan Gomez and decided to stick with it. In the future, it's building a good foundation for Christian Gomez to succeed.

IV. Most fans don't really know how you became part of the organization. How did you get connected with the Rapids and become part of the organization?

It was a joint decision by Arsenal and Jeff Plush together and to put the Arsenal Academy in place and to support John Murphy and Fernando Clavijo as an auxiliary coach.

V. Two players that have been fan favorites were Herculez Gomez and Bouna Coundoul. Herculez of course was traded to Kansas City, and Bouna has yet to play with you at the helm. Why was Herculez traded and why has Bouna fallen out of favor with your team selections?

Bouna is because he has been away on international duty. While he was away, Preston Burpo came in and played extremely well and retained the position. There's no slight on Bouna, but both players are vying for the spot.

Herculez had been with the Rapids for a period of time and found it hard to break into the team even before Gary took over. He needed a new challenge and they got a good offer, so it was a good fit for both the team and player at the time.

VI. In the victory over Chicago, you made three substitutions, yet it looked like you stuck with the same tactics for the entire 90 minutes. Can you explain the thinking behind each of the substitutions and why you decided not wo switch to a more defensive shape when Chicago started pushing their attack to even up the game?

He felt they were quite effective with the shape they had and it proved hard to break down.

Mike Petke had an injury to his ankle. Terry Cook, as well as he was doing, he took out and moved Nick Labrocca to the right and put Mehdi Ballouchy in the middle to provide more stability. He felt Tom McManus gave all that he had and with eight minutes to go, putting in a fresh pair of legs up top was exactly what the team needed.

We'd like to thank Coach Gary Smith for his time, and look forward to him bringing victory to Dick's this weekend and well into the playoffs

Posted by mark at September 17, 2008 01:16 PM