Rapids Class VI

VI Questions with Nick LaBrocca

I. In 2007, you played 67 minutes with the first team and now you've played the most with over 2200! How did you make it happen this year?

As a young professional, it’s very easy to get discouraged and impatient especially during a long season. I am so lucky and fortunate to have such great friends and family who have always supported and looked out for me even when times weren’t at their best. In my relatively inactive first year, my friends and family were the ones who kept me motivated me to continue to improve my game day by day. Playing more minutes this year is not something I could ever do on my own.

II. You're among the finalist for Class VI's Player of the Year award (given to Bouna Coundoul last season). Do you feel deserving and if you were to award it who would you give it to?

I am extremely honored to be considered one of your finalists for the player of the year award but an individual cannot be successful without his teammates, especially in soccer. There are so many quality and deserving players on our team so it would be too difficult to pick just one, or even two.

III. Tells us how things have changed for you and for the team since Gary Smith has taken over the team?

Since I’ve been a Rapid there was always great chemistry on the team. Once Gary took over the reins, we have had a much better understanding of individual roles both offensively and defensively which has been able to strengthen our team structure. The understanding of our roles is helping us form an identity and has been crucial in the late season push that we’ve been able to put together.

IV. Are you under contract for 2009 and do you have any plans of testing out the waters playing abroad?

I am under contract for 2009. Growing up I have always dreamed about playing overseas. Right now the only thing on my mind is a strong finish to this season and hopefully a strong playoff push.

V. What has been your highlight moment in your Rapids career?

Growing up, going to school and playing on the east coast, 90% of my games were within driving distance of home. So my family (especially my dad) would rarely miss a game. Without a doubt, my highlight moment would have to be our game in New England. Most importantly we won but the victory was sweeter than usual. Not only did I score my first goal as a professional but it was the first game my parents saw me in person play since college. It’s something I will never forget.

VI. Tell Rapids fans what's going on with you and your teammates psychologically as the team went undefeated in September to climb back into the playoff picture and at this moment being in danger of missing out if you don't win both remaining games?

It’s a great feeling to be able get back into the playoff picture at such a crucial point in the season. We dropped two games in a row, which would crush most teams but there was never any panic on our team. In the beginning of the week, we came focused on the game versus chivas and had a great week of practice. As a team, we know what we have to do. If we do what we’ve been doing the last ten games, I really like our chances.

Playoff Picture

Well, the Rapids did themselves no favor in Los Angles. They needed a result, instead they got schooled. So we're down to two games with no teams being eliminated from contention yet:

Colorado, with 34 points, remains in Los Angles with a game against Chivas USA before hosting Real Salt Lake in the Rocky Mountain Cup finale. Chivas has been hot winning their last four games in a row, and the Rapids will have their work cut out for them.

They are chasing RSL, who has 36 points for the final guaranteed spot in the West, however, RSL goes to Dallas who stands a point up on the Rapids and a point back of RSL at 35.

The game is enormous, because if either team wins, the Rapids would need a victory at the Home Depot Center since RSL would be five points up on the Rapids and Dallas, who would only be four points up, holds the head to head tie breaker on the Rapids. A tie is the only good result in that game.

It also means, the Rapids have no choice but to win the season finale at home against RSL.

Of course, there is also the wild card race, which has so many teams in contention the combination are incredible. What's more remarkable, is there are very few games where the teams in contention for the wild card spot are head to head games.

In short, nothing but six points in the next two games will get us into the playoffs, and even if that were to happen, we could still miss out. The race isn't completely in our hands anymore going from undefeated in September to pointless in October.

The gloves are off, and for the Rapids, there can be no more loses if they plan on lifting MLS Cup without some major events going their way.

VI Questions with Gary Smith: Dynamo Loss

Gary Smith was kind enough to answer some questions for Rapids fans. Conducted by great Rapids Supporters Kevin & Yvonne Callahan

I. Going into the game against Houston, Brian Ching has historically found great success against the Rapids and Dwayne De Rosario has been among the leagues elite for years. What was the game plan to neutralize these two and where did it break down?

First and foremost, giving a goal away that early, which was very cheaply given away as well, always offer quality individuals such as Ching and DeRosario the incentive to push on - you know create more opportunities. In terms of the gameplan, it wasn’t really carried out to a ripe amount of success when you concede that quickly. Within the group, we have tried to become more difficult to breakdown and that’s not just the back four, that is the midfield players as well. We’ve asked our wide midfield determined players to be more determined and to come in a little more tightly and make the central areas of the pitch a little more difficult to play in. To a great degree, we have done that. Sadly, against New York where we found an opponent who were very aggressive going forward and playing a slightly different shape on a very quick surface, we conceded more goals than we should have. Against the Houston side, where we know full well those individuals you spoke about are very capable, like I said, we gave cheap goals and I don’t think we were aided enormously by the referees as well. That’s not a good combination

II. Heading into the locker room down two at half, what did you say to the team?

I felt it was a case of really taking the game to them a little more. To turn the phrase, “throwing caution to the wind” probably would be a little bit extreme. But, we needed to get wide a little bit higher and force our fullbacks a little bit higher up the pitch to keep making their team pinned in. We were offering that when Connor gets sent off and again the referee has an impact on the game. So, you know, against a side with Houston’s capabilities, going down to ten men was always going to be tough – two goals behind as well. Ultimately, just want to force our game a little more and maybe get a few breaks in their offense.

III. The team has conceded seven goals in the last two games. Do you have a plant to sore up the back line?

Its not just the back four, we’ve seen that. In the last two games, we’ve concede two goals from very strange areas, obviously Preston’s clearance out, we’ve also had penalties given against us. So, you look around at how a goal can come about and what we can try to do to negate that. The group needs to get back to some of the form we had in games previous, in winning games where that determination and defending was the combination we needed to win games.

IV. The red card to Casey was obviously a bad call by referee Mark Geiger that had a major influence on the game. Now that you've gotten some games under your belt, what is your opinion of the officiating?

Oh, you know I have to be careful on that one. I just think it’s a little bit inconsistent. I watched a game last night, Salt Lake and New York. From what I could gather, there was a sending off that was no more than a high foot that the Salt Lake player ducked into slightly and not being there it was difficult to reason why there was a send off. Juan Pablo Angel jumps two footed into a challenge and there’s no recriminations and Connor Casey gets a booking in our game for something that wasn’t anywhere near as aggressive, so I think just the consistently of the individuals maybe needs to be addressed and I’m not quite sure, so I’ll just let that go there.

V. With Casey and Omar out, what are you going to do up top this weekend?

The decision is still to be made. The choices are to go with Tom McManus who is back fit and to add Jake Peterson to that as well, he’s very capable or to just go with the one. I think that decisions will be left right until the last minute. We still want to be a threat obviously against the back line while not conceding goals. But want to make sure that we address the problems you’ve already stated with seven goals against in two games.

VI. For much of the season Casey has spent a great deal of time with his back to the goal with a few occasions where he was able to face up. Against New York he seemed to mix this up a little bit more. Is this something that's by design, did New York just present the opportunities, or am I just seeing things?

I think the group is growing and there is going to be more continuity between each other as they are building relationships. Connor himself has had his season broken up again with injuries and the fact that he stays healthy just adds to the fact that the individual the has a lot of quality and very capable in front of the goal and the longer he stays fit, he’ll find more goals to score, so its an easy equation

Big Thank You to Gary smith and the Callahans. Hopefully tomorrow will help secure our playoff spot so we can gain revenge against Houston in the Conference Finals.

VI Questions with Christian Gomez

Christian Gomez was kind enough to take some time for Class VI and answer some questions for us. The interview was conducted and translated by CVI's Kevberto Nuñez

I. The teams fortunes have dramatically reversed from being last in the league to unbeaten in September which has put the team back in control of its playoff picture. What do you think has gotten them back on track?

I think that the team was structured right from the back and to the front, the results have been ours and we have gotten better in getting results which is important and that is why the team is in the playoffs

II. What are your plans for next season and in the long term are you interested in any part of the game after your playing days are over?

Yes, when Im done with my career more than sure I will be a coach for kids, I would like to teach what I learned throughout my career, and for next year, honestly I’m not very happy because Im not playing, when a player isn’t within the starting lineup isn’t happy, and that is what is happening to me in these moments, surely we will talk to see what happens next season because if this situation continues surely I won’t stay, but that will be spoken of after the season is over and we will talk with the people we have to talk about.

III. You and DC United parted ways in the off season and you decided to come to the Rapids. What were your main reasons for signing with Colorado?

My contract with DC United ended in December of 2007, We didn’t come to an economic understanding and Colorado was one of the ones that made an effort to bring Christian Gomez to Colorado and honestly I came very happy with a lot of motivation to play and get important things, but unfortunately Fernando had to leave, the assistant coach got the position he planned his players, of course a coach decides who plays and who doesn’t and obviously in Gary’s strategy I don’t have a spot, but one continues to work and keeps putting effort supporting the team and wishes the best to the team and one is always willing and ready in any given moment to be a support to the team.

IV. Do you still follow the fortunes of DC united and if so do you have any opinions of why the team is struggling this year?

I’m not much about following and looking at standings or to watch games, I know that it’s good that they aren’t doing good that we are better, and I worry about the team where I’m defending the colors of Colorado Rapids, honestly I played 3 fantastic years in DC where they treated me very good, but that is in the past

V. What differences do you see between Fernando Clavijo and Gary Smith?

With Fernando we played more on offense, we would change a lot from one team to another, 3 or 4 players would change almost every week, so we couldn’t find a base team, with Gary I believe he worried about finding the team from the back to the front, and even though we didn’t play good, he is finding the results and he is finding the players, which I think is very good because the results are ours, and the team has gotten better from the back to the front heading the other way.

VI. The last five games have seen you as an unused substitute. This weekend you were still on the bench when the team was behind. You’re obviously one of the most talented players in the league so what happened?

Honestly I am always ready and willing to go in and support the team in any moment, I think it is a pure and only decision of the coach of what substitutions he makes, with New York, with Houston, with Dallas, or with other games because I have been on the bench, I didn’t play I believe that, that is a question that you should ask the coach.

Any Comments of anything you would like to add?

There’s only 3 games left and honestly important games are coming up, Los Angeles, then Chivas, and then Salt Lake, and well to the people to the fans, I’d like to thank the support that they are giving us, in good moments during the season as in not very good moments and they have always been there supporting us, and in these next 3 games that they will keep supporting the same way and we will try to leave everything so that we can get the farthest in the playoffs

Road to the Cup

The Rapids have had a major turn around from the summer where they fell to last in MLS. Since Gary Smith took over, Mike Petke returned from injury and took over the arm band from Pablo Mastroeni, and Cory Gibbs was signed, the Rapids have gone undefeated in September and are now in control of their destiny.

The safest way to qualify for the playoffs is to finish in the top three in the Western Conference.

Houston and the Western Conference Title is most likely out of reach with Houston having a game in hand. Colorado would need to win this weekend and then most likely win two of their remaining three while Houston would need to drop games.

On the other end of the spectrum, San Jose has probably run out of time needing seven points with four games left, since RSL who they are chasing has games against both Dallas and Colorado who are the other two teams they are chasing.

Another team that seems out of time is Los Angles. They will need six points to qualify and nine if they drop either of their games to Colorado or Dallas. Lose both of those and it’s all over. Unfortunately for LA, their other two games are against Columbus and Houston. This weekend could see LA’s former coach Sigi put the Galaxy’s season to an end. Also to consider is that Beckham is going to miss the Colorado game.

Colorado can certainly catch Chivas, but the key game is the six point swinger on the 19th. The Rapids cannot lose that game if they want to finish second in the West for the first time in franchise history. However, Chivas gets to take on struggling DC United and San Jose. Chivas has found some success on the road recently and their final game is against Houston which will probably be qualified at that point and not looking to risk much going into the playoffs.

Last night, Dallas had a draw on San Jose. This brought Dallas even on points, but Dallas only has three games left now. They have a very favorable schedule with Toronto and Los Angles, but the game that favors the Rapids is their match against RSL which removes two or three points from one or both team’s pursuit of the Rapids. The Rapids are hoping for a draw on that night.

RSL has their next two games against Eastern opponents: New England and New York. Neither will be easy and it will be interesting if the new stadium will bring them an advantage against NY. With two six point games left versus Dallas and Colorado, they need a result against New England or New York to provide them a little cushion.

For Colorado, this weekend’s match against Houston is the least important of the games left. If they can grab seven points in the remaining stretch, we’re going to host the first playoff game in DSG Park history. The Rapids need a win or two ties in their next three games against Houston, LA, and Chivas heading into the finale against RSL where they simply will need a victory if they haven’t gotten the job done.

Gary Smith has instilled confidence back into the players that seemed to have vanished over the summer and shown us that the team can capture points on the road. It’s a thrilling end to the season in MLS and the Rapids have come back from the dead to give us hope of a ticket to the Home Depot Center on November 23rd.

CVI Questions with Coach Gary Smith: Undefeated in September

Coach Gary Smith has gotten the Rapids back on track and took some time out for CVI from a phone interview.

I. How is preparing MLS players for a match different then preparing the English FA players?

Coach Smith feels that it is not that different. It's about working toward the same thing - winning football. The Rapids had lost confidence and that happens in both places.

He feels the differences however are the preparations that you need to take into account for travel, weather conditions for a summer season, and planning for fatigue accordingly.

II. The team looks cohesive, positive, and motivated to win since you’ve taken over. What reasons do you attribute to the turnaround from the summer.

He said when former coach Fernando Clavijo left, there were a lot of players that felt they had underachieved. When a manager moves on, it suggests that the team hasn't performed and a lot of players had a point to prove.

There has also been additions to the group like Cory Gibbs and players coming back from injury that have made an impact.

Generally there is an atmosphere where players are getting chances to play and are seizing the opportunity. Players that were performing below par, have seen this as an opportunity for a clean sheet and a new platform to work from.

III. Mehdi Ballouchy was traded for a fan favorite, Kyle Beckerman, and subsequently hasn’t drawn the backing of the fans. Do Mehdi a favor sell Mehdi to Rapids fans.

Mehdi is one of the most talented individuals that he’s seen in a long time. He has wonderful balance and he's very intelligent with ball. Looking at the final goal in New York, his final pass was extraordinarily good.

On top of that, the fellow is very driven and has tremendous athletic ability as well. He is the most unsung players in the group this season and he's at a point now where he’s got his opportunity and he’s not going to let go.

IV. Before you took over the team, the Rapids captured 5 of a possible 27 points on the road. You’ve accomplished 6 of a possible 12. When you’re not at DSG Park, what’s your philosophy for road results?

He believes he had an ideal opportunity to see the team in the initial six months. The personnel changes didn’t help and there was a feeling that going away players felt negative.

He thinks now they are the front foot. With how they played against Dallas and New York, which they were fortunate to get results in both, it's more apparent that players are more hungry to win a game on the road. It's a different mind set.

V. Last season, Colin Clark was a break out player for the team and this season it appears Nick LaBrocca is the break out player. Tell us more about Nick and what he brings to the team.

Nick has proved over the season his true worth as a team player. He certainly is not the most talented and certainly not the most physically gifted, but he is great team player that brings confidence to the group. He is extremely important to the group by bringing what the team needs to win. Nick offers good energy, good discipline, good understanding, and quality in a young body. His future is bright, and by getting more minutes then anyone else, reflects how high he is thought of.

VI. Is there a manager or a philosophy you have subscribed to or has influenced your style and approach to coaching?
Smith says the style aspect would be along the Arsenal route, where the team is gifted with the ball. But you need time to put a team like that together.

In terms of style influence on him, he says Martin O'Neil, who he played for in England. Also Terry Burton, manager at Wimeldon was a good first team coach that had a huge influence on him on the practical front. Finally, working with Tony Adams at Wanders has been good for the situation he's currently in, has been very helpful.

We thank you coach and look forward to a difficult game against Houston. Here's the rise of the Rapids!!!

Posted by mark at 03:04 PM