News Catch-Up

Catching up on some odds and ends over the last week or so.

• First and most important, today Glenn 'Mooch' Myernick was posthumously elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.  Mooch was the Rapids coach between 1997 and 2001, leading the team to two of the three finals in their history (1997 MLS Cup, 1999 U,S. Open Cup), losing both.  I never had a chance to meet him but from other Rapids fans that did I've only ever heard great things about him both as a coach and a person.  A well-deserved reward for somebody who was involved with U.S. Soccer and every level both as a player and a coach.  There was some talk a few years ago of the Rapids honoring Mooch with some sort of permanent display in the stadium (Gallery of Honor, statue, something), maybe they'll figure out something to do after his induction now.
• Marlon Hairston joins Berner, Calvert, and Eloundou in Charlotte for the season.  This seemed likely after he got healthy since the Rapids are heavy in defenders and he's the most natural young guy to go get minutes in the USL.
• Colorado Rapids linked with move for Carlos Puyol but deny any interest.  My response?
  
• Luton Shelton is training with the Rapids while he evaluates his options (including an offer from Colorado).  Unlike Puyol this would be a good move fro us.  Shelton is Jamaica's all-time leading goal-scorer, can hold up the ball a bit as well as play to his speed, and is only 29 years old.  He would be a good stop-gap signing until Doyle arrives and the Rapids have an open international roster spot.  The only question is what happens have Doyle gets here and what his salary demands would be.