News and Notes

A couple of tidbits heading into the weekend:

• Tom McManus has apparently been released by the Rapids. It was reported on BigSoccer and appears to be confirmed by this article. McManus brought a great attitude and a deadly long-range shot but never was able to solidify himself as a starter. With the restrictions on international players we can't afford to spend significant money on an international bench player. That, combined with Gary Smith wanting to put together his own team, seems to have ended McManus' time in Colorado.

• According to this blog the Rapids will play the San Jose Earthquakes in a preaseason game on March 2nd at the Home Depot Center in LA. I'm sure we'll get a complete preseason schedule from the Rapids in the near future.

• New Rapids keeper Matt Pickens may get a chance in the nets in this weekends U.S. - Sweden game at the HDC. 6:30pm MST Saturday night on FOX Soccer Channel.

UPDATE: One more note is making the rounds. Real Maryland FC of USL-2 just annpunced that they've signed a partnership agreement with the Rapids. The agreement will aloow for the movement of players between the clubs and give Real Maryland's coaches a chance to learn from the Rapids. A good partnership for the Rapids, hopefully some of the younger players that won't make the new smaller roster will end up there and have a chnace to work their way back to MLS.

Tam In, Gargan Out

The long rumored Tam McManus signing is finally complete. McManus will give the Rapids 3 pure forwards, with Casey and Cummings. Scott Campbell was waived today to make room for McManus, which wasn't a big surprise since he was waived once and the brought back when Casey and Petke were placed on IR.

Dan Gargan was also waived, with is a bigger surprise. Gargan had played well enough last year to keep his position on the roster in my opinion, but I guess the early play of Kimura along with the acquisition of Tim Ward in the offseason were enough to make him expendable. The really odd thing about this move is that it was unnecessary until May 10th, as the Rapids were only at 28 non-IR players, which is the limit.

The new breakdown by position is:
GK: 2 + a MLS Pool keeper that trains with the team
Def: 9
Mid: 15 (counting Kirovski, Herculez, and Peterson as mids)
Fwd: 3

UPDATE - After looking at the roster in more detail it turns out that Campbell was a development player, while Gargan was a senior rostered player. The Rapids were at their max of 18 senior players (20 if you count Casey and Petke who are on IR until May 10th) before signing Tam, so a senior player had to go.

So it was Campbell who was unnecessarily let go, as the Rapids now only have 9 of their allowed 10 development players. Given that this is his second waiver in about a month, I assume things weren't working out either for him or the team.

This also means that once Petke and Casey come off IR, 2 players from the senior roster will have to be waived. My guess is that it will be Gray and Harvey that are let go, but Ballouchy has to be concerned.