Rapids Class VI

VI Questions with Stephen Keel

Colorado Native and Rapids Center Back Stephen Keel just may be the best Player in the MLS Reserve System. Starting his third season with the team, Keel keeps improving his role with a team he won a place with by participating in open tryouts.

Stephen took some time out to answer a few questions for Rapids Fans and we're very grateful to him.

I. Right off, on behalf of all Rapids fans - Congratulations on being named MLS Reserve Player of the Year! Is there any one coach or player that has inspired your professional development?

Thank you very much. There is not necessarily one coach or one player, but more of a combination. Obviously Coach Clavijo and Coach Murphy have played a large role in my development as a professional. They have taught me a lot about what I need to work on to make my game better. Murph gave me the captains arm band this past year and I think that brought out more of a leadership role in me, something that might have been lacking from my game.

As far as players, playing with the Cobras is a great pleasure. All the guys are working together, for each other, to achieve one goal; to win the championship. Also, as a younger guy I look to the experienced veterans like Pablo and Petke and try to learn as much from them as possible. They have been doing this a long time and doing it at the highest level. To not learn from them or watch the way they train and their approach to the game would be foolish.

II. Colorado native - undrafted in MLS - tell us how you came to signing with your hometown team and what it means to you.

Well, I came in for the open tryout in 2005 and that is where I got my first look. I had to go back to "The" Wake Forest University (2007 National Champions!!) to graduate. Once I did that I came back and trained with the team for about a month and then I was signed. When I signed my first contract with the Rapids I was the happiest person alive (and still am). To play professional soccer has been my dream ever since I was a wee little toddler running around my back yard with a ball. Add that I get to play for my hometown team and in front of my friends and family is beyond words. The fans here are so great and the support we get at games (home and away) is awesome. I feel so fortunate to be in the situation I am. Words really can't describe how much I love playing here.

III. The dream to play an MLS game holds for so many young kids. Tell us about the experience of getting named to the First Team for Match Day for the first time.

My first start was against Real Salt Lake. It was raining and on turf, so not the most desirable playing conditions, but I didn't care because it was my first start. It meant a lot because a lot of our fans made the trip out to Salt Lake and were singing the entire game which was awesome. Plus it was towards the end of the season when every game counted and we needed all the points to make a push for the playoffs. The game didn't turn out the way we wanted, as we lost 1-0. But it is something I will always remember and look back on with a positive thought. Oh and I do remember having a shoe lace football tackle on Beckerman for my first yellow card. That was fun.

IV. In 2006, you were loaned out to the Seattle Sounders of USL 1. Tell us a bit about that experience.

Myself and Jordan Harvey took a few trips up to Seattle. It was a great experience. We were playing 90 mins against professional players. It helped in my development by getting game experience. We took a few road trips with the team to places like Puerto Rico, Miami and Virginia Beach. There were some long flights, but good for frequent flyer miles! All in all, it was a great experience and something that helped me as a professional.

V. Class VI and the C-Firm make the trip to Salt Lake City for the Rocky Mountain Cup games. What does having fans at an away game mean to the team?

Like I mentioned before it is awesome when we have fans at away games. Obviously at our home games all you hear is chanting and good banter in favor of the Rapids. On the road you hear just the opposite. I can't tell you how many times I have had fans at away games tell me to "cut my hair." So it is nice to hear the Rapids faithful cheering for us. Plus, it is a lot easier on the eyes seeing the Rapids Blue and Burgundy in the stands as opposed to the colors of the Salt Lake team. I know the team feels the same way. We love it when our fans support us on the road, espciallly when you can hear our fans more than the home team fans!

VI. I sit in a cubicle, staring at a computer making money for da man. Good fun huh? Tell us about a typical work day for you.

My day starts off with a nice breakfast and reading espn.com and checking my email. Then it is off to training where we all arrive before 9:30 (to avoid a nice $10 fine.) Training is usually from 10-12ish or so. After our workout, we shower, get treatment, jump in the cold tubs and then head to lunch as a team at the stadium (that is new this year and something that I enjoy very much!) Once we are full everyone goes home. I come home and again check espn.com and my email. I will rest for a little while and then hit the gym at my apartment for some extra weight lifting sessions and cardio. Usually I try and lift 3 times a week and focus on upper body in my own lifting. We lift as a team and those sessions focus more on legs and core.

The rest of the afternoon is filled with a nap and usually talking to my friends. Then I usually prepare a fine feast for dinner. I live with my brother and he is in training to be a firefighter so he does not get home till later. So more often than not I do the cooking, but he will try and tell you A) that a caveman could do the cooking I do and B) he helps out. But let me assure you that neither are 100% true! Let me see a caveman make chicken tacos! After dinner I watch tv (Tuesday night is Rob and Big on MTV night), relax and hit the sack. Then I wake up and do it all over again.

Thank You for your time Stephen - we look forward to seeing you with the first team even more often this season. To leave any messages or feed back Click Here.

From The Pitch Tonight

The show airs tonight from 6-8pm.

Here's the lineup for tonight, straight from 'Celo himself:

GUESTS:

• Colin Clark: Midfielder for the Colorado Rapids
  
• Mac Howell: Manager of Community Relations for the Colorado Predators

Topics of discussion:

• African Cup of Nations
• MLS Team Transfer Market/New Signings
• Jaime Moreno Signs Two Year Deal with DC United
• International Updates
• Email us your question at MarceloBalboa@yahoo.com

Traing Camp Begins

The spring like temps we had Sunday seem to have gotten a few overweight cyclists with squeaky chains out for their bi-annual ride. The warm temps woke the players from their winter hibernation. They will begin their pre-season training today, 2 months before the season starts. 2 months of doing what? Perfecting gonzo soccer?

New Rapids Player Brian Grazier Speaks...

To another blog. Check it out.

VI Questions with Dan Gargan

Colorado Rapids Defender Dan Gargan is entering his fourth season with the Rapids, making him one of six current Colorado Rapids players that were on the team in 2005. Coming off a season-ending injury last season, Dan took some off-season time to answer a few questions from Class VI.

I. First and foremost on Rapids fan's minds is your injury. Can you give us an update on how you're doing?

My injuries are healing very well. If you remember, I separated my shoulder before my knee, and had surgery on that after my knee injury ended my season. Having both surgeries was difficult but I'm glad I got it over with.

My shoulder is completely healed and I can still have a career in the majors as a pitcher if soccer doesn't work out. While I was in Philly I was able to do some rehab with the national team trainer in Delaware which helped immensely. I just got cleared to start playing 5v2 and controlled possession and stuff like that so I'm pretty excited about that.

I feel stronger and faster than before my injury because essentially all I've been doing since surgery is lifting weights to my legs which I am starting to see the benefits of. I can't wait to get back on the field.

II. What'd you do for New Year's? You a wild party animal or what?

New Year's Eve was pretty low key for me actually. I went to dinner with some friends and had a glass of champagne at midnight and then called it a night. My friends and I have a tradition to go to what is called "The Mummers Parade" in Philly on New Year's Day. It's basically like Mardi Gras and Carnivale mixed together with a bunch of crazy Philadelphians dancing down Broad Street to live bands that practice all year to perform in the parade. It's crazy to say the least.

III. This will be your fourth year on the team. You've seen a lot of players come and go. Can you tell us what it's like for a player when a teammate leaves and when a new guy comes in?

As for players coming and going, that is one of the toughest things I personally have had to deal with as a Rapid. Since my rookie year all my roommates have been cut or traded (Eugene Sepuya, Amir Lowery, Hunter Freeman, and most recently Kyle Beckerman, who I lived with for close to two years). So maybe I have a jinx on me or something?? It is not easy to watch players go, but you do get to meet new guys, who in a lot of cases you end up forging pretty good friendships with.

IV. What is match day like for you?

Match days are pretty low key for me. I don't like running around a lot the day of the game. So I get up whenever I get up, no alarms on game days. Some eggs for breakfast, watch a little TV or draw and just chill out. Then I'll listen to some music while I make my pre-game meal, pasta and grilled chicken with veggies, and then get ready to head to the stadium.

Getting to the stadium I'm pretty loose. I take care of the music in the locker room so I get that situated, and then usually a little soccer tennis and messin' around with the guys before it's time to get your mind straight and head out to the field...

V. You trained with Pachuca. Can you tell us about that experience and how it differs from training in MLS?

My experience in Pachuca wasn't very beneficial, to be honest. We weren't partners or whatever yet so we weren't taken very seriously when we were down there. So I'd rather not comment too much about that since we are partners now and it's in the past.

VI. Tell us something about the Rapids that the fans don't know - is there a clown or prankster on the team?

Clowns or pranksters on the team? I would have to say almost everyone that has been with the Rapids while I have been here has been a delight in the locker room.

According to the older guys they always say there is a great camaraderie here and I would agree with that. Everyone pretty much gets along and enjoys each other's company in and out of the Rapids uniform. We're a fun group of guys, and if soccer didn't work out we could start a business livening up other peoples parties!! Haha j/k...

Dan, thank you for taking time out for your fans! We hope you have a great season, and we'll be giving you support from 108. Want to wish him luck? Drop him a note by CLICKING HERE

There's nothing like a child's smile

Daniel Clark is stationed in Iraq. He'll be back home sitting with us in section 108 some time this season.

He had an idea about getting some soccer balls to children in Iraq to spread some cheer and good will in a dark situation - and Class VI put together a soccer ball drive and mailed them to him ... here is Daniel's account ...

Nearly a hundred eager Iraqi children scrambled towards me as four other Marines and I struggled to quickly hand out soccer balls, t-shirts and cleats to the squirming crowd. Each child that received one beamed, as if they had been given the best gift in the world. They were so grateful that they immediately took pictures with us, shook our hands, and gave us more tea and bread than we could possibly eat.

I am a combat medic with the Marine Corps and I have been deployed here in Camp Fallujah since last August. My time here has consisted mostly of going out into the cities on missions with a group of engineers. That means that I have gotten to spend a lot of my time with the Iraqi people. The kids over there spend their time going to segregated schools and shepherding to protect their families’ sheep. They all love playing soccer, but all they have to use as equipment, they find on the side of their roads. Whether it be a rock, some trash, or a piece of wood, they use what they have.

Thanks to Class VI and the soccer ball drive that was set up, we were able to hand out real soccer balls to these kids. It means the world to them to receive things like that from people that they don’t even know. We may not be able to take away all of the hardships that they have and still do endure in their lives, but we can add some joy to their daily routines. It may seem like just a soccer ball to us, but to them it means so much more.

Seeing the joy on their faces and getting to play with these Iraqi children has changed me forever. These kids live in darkness and something as simple as a soccer ball brightens their life. Their hearts are full of gratitude, joy, and hope – something we should all aspire to. So, thank you, Class VI, and all of you that contributed for making a difference in these kids’ lives and mine as well.

And thank you Daniel for you sacrifices for our country and for your concern for children living in a difficult situation. We hope we're presented with more opportunities like this in the future.

Order Your Scarf Now!

The 2008 Class VI scarf has been decided by YOU the Class VI fans! We expect them to arrive in March.

Order your scarf now - there is a limited supply and many went without last season.

You can orders yours by visiting our Store in the menu to the right - or just by Clicking Here.

And as we starting gearing up for 2008, all donations are welcomed as well to keep our Club running. All finances can be seen on the Class VI discussion boards.

Big thanks to Patrick and Max of Go West T-Shirt Co.

From The Pitch With Ben

In less than an hour, the weekly radio show From The Pitch will be kicking off. Among tonight's guests will be Class VIer Ben Woolf. Make sure to call in at 303-485-2152 and harass... I mean, encourage Ben to let us know what he's thinking these days when it comes to our Rapids and upcoming players in the MLS.

Tuesday Jan 22, 2008, 6-8 PM (MST)

Tuesday night's guests include:

* John Harkes: ESPN Broadcaster and former National Team player
* Joe Machnik: Major League Soccer's Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner for On-Field Competition
* Ben Woolf: Writer and Contributor to From College to the Pros

What's on Tap for Discussion?

* Landon Donovan's Historic Milestone
* MLS Trades and Signings
* MLS Draft Roundup
* MLS Rumors

Objectivo & FTP Weekly Poll:

* Objectivo Poll Result: Should the MLS have let Taylor Twellman leave for Preston Northend?
* New Poll: Did the US game against Sweeden interest you?

American Soccer Question of the Week:

* Who did the USA play their first official international match against? (First listener to email, support@objectivo.com, the correct answer wins a free football inspired t-shirt from Objectivo Apparel).

Be part of the Radio Colorado Network, call us on the air. Or call us at:

* 800-531-3815 -on air
* 303-485-2152 -on air

Listen On:

* AM-1060 in Denver
* AM-1580 in Colorado Springs
* AM-610 in Vail
* AM-1450 in Buena Vista
* www.radiocoloradonetwork.com

Tam McManus???

Don't worry, over 6 billion people around the world also scratch their head and ask "WHO?" when they hear the name Tam McManus. Apparently the Rapids are also lurking about this Scottish striker, wooing him by reminding him that Wyoming - which is a bit like Scotland after all - is only a couple hours away. The only problem is that, like the rumor of the Rapids signing Augustin Delgado we can't seem to find anything backing it up.

Rapids Sponsorship

When will the Rapids have a full sponsor on their jersey? And who would it be? Chipotle? Frontier? Dicks Sporting Goods?

And could we be soon be seeing Augustin "El Tin" Delgado playing for the Rapids?

2008 MLS SuperDraft – Colorado Rapids Style

By Class VI's Ben Woolf

Howdy Folks, I’m going to be a new contributor around here. I did design the Class VI logo as my first contribution to the club, so now we can add blogging to the list.

The MLS draft was today. Going in the Rapids didn’t have a lot to work with in terms of total number of picks, but they did have a highly coveted fifth pick. After that the Rapids didn’t get to pick until the third round. So a lot of weight was on that first pick. I thought they may trade it away after Coach Murphy told me he wasn’t too impressed with the 2008 class.

Additionally, I heard through the grapevine that if Tony Beltran was available the Rapids would take him…he wasn’t and they didn’t. Rapids coaching staff thinks he’s a special player so we’ll have to see how he does with Salt Lake.

The draft unfolded contrary to popular beliefs and the consensus #1 pick, Patrick Nyarko, was available when the Rapids handed in their pick. However, they went for midfield help by selecting UCSB standout, Ciaran O'Brien. O’Brien had a solid college career, however he wasn’t on the NCAA Championship team. He started his college career at the University of San Diego and as a freshman scored 6 goals and made 4 assists. At UCSB in his sophomore year he was the team’s leading point getter with 11 assists and 7 goals. I hope O’Brien’s 44% shots on goal percentage will translate to a scorers touch in MLS. O’Brien will probably start out wide with the Rapids as it is very hard for a college player to come in and immediately pick up the center midfield reigns. You never know, if the Rapids coaches are right O’Brien could turn into a new Kyle Beckerman.

Rapids fans will wonder why their team didn’t pick another UCSB midfielder, Eric Avila, but I think the fact Avila slipped to #19 overall says volumes about how other coaches value the player. The same could have happened with O’Brien, but let’s hope the Rapids made the right pick. The Rapids coaching staff will certainly be second guessed if Nyarko or Avila have great rookie years and O’Brien doesn’t. While that is not totally fair, it will happen.

The next Rapids selection was Adrian Chevannes at #36 out of SMU. Chevannes was part of the US U-17 residency program in Bradenton Florida. Some of his classmates? Freddy Adu, Michael Bradley, new Rapids teammates John DiRaimondo and Jacob Peterson, Eddie Gaven, Michael Harrington, Robbie Rogers, Jonathan Spector, Daniel Szetela and Julian Valentin. Having that on your resume certainly helps and I hope it can translate into some ability on the field. Chevannes is very fast and loves to run at players down the flank. He could end up being the Rapids’ version of Jonathan Bornstein. I hope to see him flying down the sidelines this spring. He should bring some versatility to the Rapids roster. Heck, he even played striker for a time at SMU when the team needed him. In 2005 he spent a year training with Real Salt Lake perhaps hoping to sign a long term deal in MLS then. He didn’t and returned to school in 2006.

The Rapids had two picks in the final round and I think they did well. With the 47th pick they chose another Bradenton grad, Brian Grazier. He was also a classmate with new teammates John DiRaimondo, Jacob Peterson and Adrian Chevannes. Hopefully these four will build some team chemistry. Grazier is a midfielder/forward who didn’t have the most productive college career in terms of points. Hopefully the coaches can get him on the scoring track.

With their last pick the Rapids took midfielder From College To Pros, for more draft information including more detailed reviews of all teams over the weekend.

Trade Confirmed

It's MLS Draft Week, and we know what that means... Get all your trades done before draft time or you'll have to actually pick a few of them youngin's!

The overall #1 draft pick just moved from San Jose over to KC, where Nick Garcia was sent to the West Coast.

I think we all know by now that El Floppo (Carlos Ruiz) was sent packing from Dallas back to LA. Houston fans are crying... ;-)

The Fire made off the field moves, finally giving Hamlett his due as head coach and bringing in Best Buy as their primary jersey sponsor.

And it seems the Rapids have been working behind the scenes to get their own deal done.

Multiple sources have confirmed that MLS recently approved the trade to send Jose Burciaga, Jr. from the Wiz to Colorado in return for our 2009 second round draft pick.

If true, and if it's only a 2nd round pick... not too shabby!

Welcome to Colorado, Jose!

The 26-year old Defender should help provide needed depth in the Rapids back line. Check his bio out here on mlsnet.com

Dan Wasson says Guten Tag!

By Daniel Wasson

I must first start by saying that I enjoyed my time as a Colorado Rapids player. Growing up in Colorado Springs, as a die-hard soccer player and fan, I watched many Rapids games both at the stadium and on TV. I knew in my heart that I wanted to play in MLS and more importantly for the Rapids. The day I was drafted to play for Colorado was one of the happiest days of my life.

Fast forward a year and a half to the time when I left. I realize that me leaving was a shock to many fans, but one that I feel was necessary and for my best interests personally. After talking with many teammates and other people who I hold dear in my life, I thought after the July 10th Open Cup match and before the two-week pause for the All-Star game was the right time for me to leave. As you will find out a bit later in my blog, I should have left a few weeks earlier...

The decision to move to Germany: As many soccer fans know, it is very hard to obtain a work permit in Europe without holding an EU passport. Germany, however, is one country where Americans have the ability to play in the lower divisions without holding a full work permit, so I decided this would be my first stop.

During my first off season with the Rapids, I travelled over to Frankfurt for off-season practice in January, in order to prepare for the up-coming MLS season. I ended up heading to the north-western part of Germany and training with a 4th division team VFB Oldenburg. However, I spent the first 3 days in Frankfurt where I was also able to watch a practice from Eintracht Frankfurt, a 1st Bundesliga side.

While at the practice, I introduced myself to the assistant coach and spoke with him for about 30 minutes. He gave me some advice on where to go for training so I then left to head up to Oldenburg. Overall, I spent about 5 days in Frankfurt and 7 days in Oldenburg. On my way back from Oldenburg to Frankfurt, I decided to "swing by" Paris because I was in Europe and you can do that there! I was only in Paris for just over 30 hours, but it was well worth it!

So when I left the Rapids, I didn't have many connections in Germany, but I did have a few numbers of agents that I could call and an awareness of Frankfurt as far as hotel arrangements and Internet cafés for phone use. When I landed in Frankfurt, the first experience I had was losing one of my pieces of luggage! Awesome, great start!

I take the train over to the youth hostel and then immediately head over to the Internet café to phone the agents. The first agent that I got a hold of invited me to stay at his flat in Bonn. He said, "There is another American here right now, but I have an air mattress that you can sleep on as he has taken over the couch." I gladly accepted this offer because one: it was shelter, and two: he wasn't charging me rent! Luckily, the next day when I was on my way to the Frankfurt central train station, I stopped by the airport and my luggage had arrived. So I then headed off to Bonn via the train.

After a day of settling in Bonn, my new agent had a trial set up for the other American, Artie, and also arranged for me to work out with the team so my agent could have a look at my abilities. During training, I felt I played fairly well; nothing great but descent enough. I was still fighting off the last bit of jet-lag, but apparently my agent was impressed enough that he would no longer send me to a 4th division team, only at least 3rd division teams from here on out.

In between trials, Artie and I would work out together on hard platz, a clay type surface used by many lower division teams in Germany instead of grass. Also, that air mattress that I was supposed to use had a tiny hole in it so after every 4 hours of sleep, I would be sandwiched inside the mattress and have to wake up and refill it with air. After a week of training with Artie, I was off to Erfurt, a third division team in eastern Germany. The drive was just over 4 hours and I was only invited to stay for 3 days of training as they were just starting their season and the coach didn't want to upset his players by bringing in trialists.

At this time, my ability to speak and understand the German language was basically non-existent. I equate my practices with the first day of college French class where the teacher only speaks French the entire time and everyone of the students look around at each other as if to say,"What the heck did we get ourselves into."

The first day of training with Rot-Weiss Erfurt I played very well. I was very active in the 6v6 games and created many opportunities for my side. The second day of training I was a little bit complacent and didn't really show all that well. However, my best day was certainly the third day when I had the chance to show more of my technical abilities in some of the drills that we did. After training, my agent talked to both the head coach and team manager. Both men from Erfurt said that they saw a ton of potential in me and that I would be able to help their team, however, Erfurt is not that wealthy of a club and in order to sign me, they would have to transfer one of their players before the end of the summer transfer period. This would turn out to be a problem for me as it was already August when I was on trial with them and the transfer window closes on the 31st of August.

The beginning of August is a very difficult time to get trials because the season is just starting and, as I mentioned a bit earlier, coaches have pretty much set their team and don't want to create unrest within their troops by bringing in someone who could potentially take their job. The next two weeks my agent was on his phone calling every single 2nd division and 3rd division team with the same reply from all of them, "Sorry Nico, I just can't bring in anyone right now. My team is set." It wasn't until the 20th of August when Nico got a phone call from a close friend and coach of a 1st division team in the Czech Republic, Victoria Pilsen, that I was able to train again. The other American Artie was also supposed to go, but couldn't because he injured his knee on trial with Alemania Aachen's reserve team, who play in the 4th division. So I left for Prague on the 24th and was picked up at the airport by the head coach and his semi-English speaking son. We then drove about 45 minutes to Pilsen.

I always hear about how nice Prague is and I have always wanted to go there and when I finally take a flight there, I don't even get to spend any time in the city. I was a little depressed because of it, however, I did get to go to Pilsen where the famous Pils style lager beer (e.g. Pilsner Urquell) is brewed, but I still wish I could have spent more time in Prague.

Back to the footy, I arrived at my hotel around 1 o'clock p.m. but couldn't hang out and relax because the assistant coach wanted to see me play with the second team as the first team had the day off. I, of course, was excited to be playing and the second team was playing 11v11 full field. This was the first opportunity I had to play full field since being in Europe and I must say, I did play fairly well. I will admit it was a bit unfair for me because the second team from Pilsen consisted of many U-17 to U-19 players. Also, little old me who was almost the smallest player for the Rapids was one of the biggest players on the field for this scrimmage. So yes, I stood out a bit. The next 3 days I spent training with the first team and looked as if I had found a home. During my training, I got on with the players really well as they would all ask me, in very broken English, what America was like and what it was like playing in MLS. I guess I was there just for training as the coach was more interested in finding a tall center back. C'est la vie as it was still good training and an experience I will not forget.

I hope you have enjoyed my first installment for NoFanAlone.com. The next time I write, you will hear why I was unable to sign until this January as well as my adventures with Alemania Aachen, Rot-Weiss Oberhausen and my first time meeting U.S. Men's National Team player Gooch Onyewu at his game in Liege, Belgium, playing for Standard Liege. Take care and I will write again soon!

Thanks Dan - we all appreciate your taking the time out for your fans in Colorado

Class VI Indoor Team

Class VI is a 100% fan run supporters group. A lot of Class VI's activities center around Colorado Rapids games. Class VI members also play the game thought out the year. Pictured above is the Class VI indoor team coming off of a recent win. Props to Becka and Cindi on their first goals of the year!

Interested in learning more about Class VI? Want to join? Or just wondering who let the ugly Polack in the pic? Please contact Mark Bodmer and mark@rapidsclassvi.com.

He ain't no Spencer

So word is out that Chicago low balled former fan favorite John Spencer and he responded saying he's willing to wait for the Colorado coaching position to open up. Chief Niwot's curse strikes again!

It's very refreshing, if not unique, to hear a former player speak so favorably of our beloved Rapids. Certainly, not every former fan favorite player values us so.

Predictably, fans reaction to the news that Chris Henderson wasn't moving into the technical director position for Colorado, instead most likely choosing the expansion team in Seattle, was placed squarely on the Rapids Front Office's shoulders. Many speculating that the team was unwilling to offer enough money.

Is Henderson Running for Office?

No so fast, according to an inside source high up in the RFO. Word is, Henderson and the Rapids did indeed come to an agreement and the team was getting set to make the announcement, and then he backed out of the deal.

The search continues.

Ex-Rapids News Day!

The news is coming fast and furious.

No, not from the Rapids, they're still soaking up sun somewhere.

But other teams and players are on the move!

From the "We didn't see that coming" files, news that Clint Mathis may be on his way to Greece of all places.

Here's the Babelfish-translated bit from the original source:
"The PAE International Union Ergote'lis announces the acquisition of American of INTERNATIONAL mesoepjcetjkoy' footballer CLINT MATHIS for one year."

From the "We totally saw that coming 3 years ago" files, news that Joe Cannon has been re-united with his favorite Coach & Club of all time...

Special Blogger Soon

Class VI is pleased to announce that we're going to be having a special guest blogger soon!

Ever wonder what it's like to be an American playing professional soccer in Europe trying to work your way up to the big clubs? Well with big thanks to former Colorado Rapids Midfielder, Daniel Wasson, you'll soon find out.

Visit NoFanAlone.com often to follow his experiences with SV Meppen in the Oberliga in Germany - a team that Paul Caliguri played for in the late 80s.

Thanks DWass - we're very grateful to you and excited.

Let him know what you think - Click Here

Posted by mark at 11:05 AM