Rapids News and Notes 6/4

A little reminder of what we're playing for on Saturday!

• National Team loses 3-1 to Costa Rica

Embarrassing. I'm torn between firing Bradley now and improving our chances, or keeping Bradley so the team goes down hard and the USSF learns a lesson.

• Pablo called up for the Nats

Given the way he played last night, this may be his last callup. I expect he'll start on Saturday due to suspensions and injuries in midfield, but that might be it for him with the "A" squad.

• Conor Casey called up for the Nats

This was just announced on tonight's ESPN MLS Game of the Week and on the U.S. Nats Blog. Brina Ching has re-aggravated his hamstring and they may need Casey for cover. His use will be based on how Ching is doing, but I think we should assume we won't have him for the Rocky Mountain Cup match this week. Casey deserves this callup, he's been playing great this year, but the timing couldn't be worse for the Rapids with a huge road match on Saturday.

• Bouna Time! in Philly?

Apparently there are rumors that Nowak might make Bouna Coundoul his first signing as Philly manager. I hope so, Bouna's a good MLS keeper and only his idiot agent kept him from signing with the Rapids this season. Somehow I don't think training in Finland is what Bouna was thinking when he was told he could do better in Europe. The Rapids still own his rights, so Philly will have to give us a draft pick or two if they want to sign him.

• Ciaran O'Brien on loan for the USL season

O'Brien is playing for the Austin Aztex of USL-1 for the rest of the USL season. That's a good way to get a young player som playing time now that the reserve league is gone. It hurts our depth on the wings a bit, but I don't think O'Brien was going to get significant playing time with the Rapids.

• Ivan Guerrero to Honduras?

There's been a rumor for a couple of months that Guererro was going to transfer back home to Honduras. The newest report has him in Honduras for his physical for his new team. Guerrero is a left sided player, and Harvey and Clark have been the only two Rapids to play every minute of every game this year, so he was finding it hard to get into the first team. With a cap hit of $145K that's a lot of money to warm the bench. It also frees up a roster spot for Julian Baudet. Theoretically if Guerrero wants to go the Honduran side would have to pay a transfer fee, but the Rapids are probably just happy to have his salary off the books so I expect them to free transfer him or ask for a very small amount of money.

• Julian Baudet signed by the Rapids?

The most recent report out of England mentioned quote Baudet as having signed with the Rapids, while all previous reports said he would sign. Still no official word from the Rapids or the league. Assuming this happens I find it a better move than I did originally. Our defense has shown that it can't keep mental focus for 90 minutes, so maybe somebody with experience in the pressure cooker of English football and a team captain can come in and settle the back line down. We still need some depth up front, but Baudet might be an asset.

Bouna Time, Cummings, and Pablo to play for National Teams

2 World Cup Qualifiers and a friendly will send some Rapids around the globe on Wednesday. The longest trip will be Coundoul's, who will travel to Tripoli, Libya to join the Lions of Teranga as they face Libya in a warm up for the end of the current round of World Cup Qualifying in CAF. There's a good chance Bouna will see some playing time, as there's not much the Senegal National Team coach needs to learn about the #1 keeper, Tony Sylva.

Forward Omar Cummings will head north to Toronto to join the rest of the Reggae Boyz as they face the Canucks in the first game of CONCACAF's semi-final round of World Cup Qualifying. Omar made his debut for Jamaica last month when they played El Salvador in Dallas, getting a full 90 minutes in for the team. Jamaica is in a tough group, along with Canada they also have the heavily favored Mexico and Honduras,. The top 2 in the group make it to the final round of qualifying.

Pablo Mastroeni will join the Yanks in Guatemala City as they open the round of qualifying against Guatemala. Coach Bob Bradley will be choosing between Pablo and his son, Michael Bradley, for the starting spot at defensive midfielder. In prior games Bradley has gone with two defensive midfielders so its possible they will both start. The U.S. is in a group with Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago, along with Guatemala. The U.S. will face Guatemala again in the final round of games of this stage on Nov. 19th at the Dick.

Cory Gibbs Move Finalized and more Nats Time for Bouna?

The Denver Post is now reporting the Gibbs deal as done, so that's official enough for me. I think this is a solid move by the Rapids. Its not the reliable striker we really need up front unfortunately, but it does help solidify our defense. Currently we're 4th in offense and 10th in defense in the league, so going for a defender isn't a crazy idea. Our offensive starts are skewed by our two 4-0 wins, considering we haven't scored more than 2 in any other game, but it shows that we could use something to settle down our defense, mainly the Keystone Kops duo of Erpen and Ihemelu.

Gibbs is high-risk, high-reward. He's been injured pretty much all of the last 2 years, and even off and on before then. If he can stay healthy he has the skills to be one of the best central defenders in MLS. hopefully the Rapids were smart enough to structure his contract with a low base salary and lots of incentives. If he stays healthy he'll be worth a high salary number, but if he doesn't I don't want to be on the hook to pay somebody to sit in the training room.

In other player news, Fox Soccer Channel reported during last week's game that Bouna Time! has been called up for Senegal's friendly against Libya in Tripoli on Aug 20th. I haven't found confirmation of it anywhere, but I wouldn't be surprised as I expect him to be the backup GK for their World Cup Qualifier on Sept. 5th. I know some of my fellow Rapids fans feel like Bouna shouldn't be let go for a friendly unless we're officially out of the playoff running, but I disagree. Bouna is going to be more likely to stay with the Rapids if we're willing to work with Confederation of African Football's (CAF) unusual schedule. Plus as Americans we are used to having our players in Coundoul's spot, since CONCACAF isn't aligned with Europe., With all the complaining we've done in the past it would be hypocritical of us to start demanding that Bouna stay here.

Christian Gomez update and Bouna Time! highlights

Steven Goff reports that the Rapids and Christian Gomez have almost reached a deal.

The latest in the Christian Gomez saga is that Colorado has offered him a two-year, guaranteed contract with a base salary of at least $400,000 and bonuses/incentives that could bring his total compensation close to the $500,000 figure per season that he has desired all along. Gomez is apparently close to agreeing to the deal. If that happens, the Rapids will formally acquire his rights from D.C. United. The consensus among MLS folks is that, in exchange, United will receive significant financial considerations and perhaps draft picks.

This would be a good deal for the Rapids IF Gomez does not count as a DP. I'm not sure what "significant financial considerations" means, but I don't think the Rapids have that many resources to give away in that department. Draft picks are always a crap shoot, so I don't mind losing them.

Some of Bouna's highlight saves from yesterday's Senegal - South Africa match are now available on YouTube.

Bouna Time! for Senegal

Bouna Coundoul got the start for Senegal's final group stage African Cup of Nations match today against South Africa. For Senegal to advance they must win, have Angola and Tunisia not draw, and have the margin of victory in the two games combined be at least 4 goals. Follow the game live here.


news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7219971.stm

UPDATE: In the 13th minute bad marking leads to a goal for South Africa

UPDATE2: From the BBC

1825: Sibusiso Zuma has a great chance to give South Africa the lead when a defensive mistake leads to a clear shot in the area but Senegal's Bouna Coundoul pulls off a remarkable save.

FINAL: 1-1 Senegal are eliminated. To add injury to insult, the BBC reported that near the end of the game there was an injury to Bouna that held up play for quite some time. It does not appear Bouna had to leave the game.

UPDATE3: It turns out the injury was to South African keeper Moeneeb Joseph, Bouna was not hurt.