January 1, 2009 9:37 PM
2008: the Rapids' year in review
As 2009 begins to unfold, what better time to look back at 2008? Here, we take a look at the top 10 moments for the Rapids in the year that just ended.
The unbiased and totally impartial list is the result of a highly scientific review of the year's Rapids news by yours truly, a biased and totally partial observer. It contains, unsurprisingly, nine highlights and, disappointingly, one awful lowlight. Lowlight? Is that a word?
Anyway, on to the list. ...
10 - 4-0 over Galaxy in season opener: Bend that, Beckham!
9 - Rapids acquire Christian Gomez: I had higher expectations for this acquisition. However, the Argentine playmaker's season was shortened by injuries and a new coach. It will be interesting to see how he fits in during the 2009 campaign.
8 - Casey scores 11: Without a mainstay at striker since John Spencer retired, a healthy Conor Casey netted 11 goals in 2008 and was even called up by the national team for a World Cup qualifier. The big man is a threat with his head and his feet and provides a nice counterbalance to the pace of Omar Cummings and the range of Tom McManus.
7 - Pablo re-signs! After seeking a job in Europe, defensive destroyer Pablo Mastroeni re-signed with MLS and the Rapids. The captain had perhaps his finest season in 2008, and his return makes this blogger ecstatic. Pablo is a shoo-in for one of those classy vinyl banners of honor underneath the north scoreboard at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
6 - McManus from distance! Scottish striker McManus ripped a shot past Brad Guzan late in a loss to Chivas USA that was one of the Rapids' two best goals of the year. McManus' blistering, bending shot (which can be seen here) won goal of the week and was a candidate for goal of the year. Although it didn't win, I'd place it among the top 10 goals scored in the history of the Rapids franchise, along with ...
5 - Peterson from distance! In early May, Jacob Peterson's stunning goal against D.C. was, for my money, the best Rapids goal of the season. The prelude included a brilliant spin move in the approach by Gomez, whose pass was perfectly weighted. Then Peterson hit it in stride. A brilliant strike that I thought was eclipsed in 2008 only by Marcelo Gallardo's unbelievable goal for United (look it upon mlsnet.com). Unbelievably, Peterson's strike was not nominated by the league for goal of the week, although it was selected as a candidate for goal of the year.
4 - Movsisyan 90: With the Rapids needing a victory to qualify for the playoffs and to win back the Rocky Mountain Cup, Salt Lake's Yura Movsisyan scored in the final minute of regulation in the final game of 2008 for the Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. RSL 1, Rapids 1. Salt Lake advanced to the playoffs instead. The most painful moment of the year. And, yes, lowlight is a word.
3 - Clavijo quits: After another promising early season turned into another summer of inconsistency, Fernando Clavijo resigned. Following a trip to Uruguay for a family medical emergency, the coach left his position formally, citing personal reasons.
2 - John Murphy kicked upstairs: Why does this come in at No. 2 and Clavijo's resignation make it only to No. 3? Well, we expected the Clavijo era to end, perhaps by autumn. But whereas most people could sense the handwriting on the wall for Clavijo, the Murphy move came as a surprise. And if Murph hadn't been promoted to director of player development in June, would he be the team's head coach right now? Would Gary Smith?
1 - Smith replaces Clavijo: Down the homestretch, the former assistant gave us reason to believe he is a better tactician and a better motivator than Clavijo. The crushing loss to Salt Lake in the season's finale, however, was an abrupt punctuation to his term as interim. The 1-1 tie (a 1-1 loss?) didn't sour the Rapids' front office on his abilities. Hiring Smith is the top Rapids moment of 2008 because of the potential it represents.
January 2, 2009
6:34 PM
Jason writes:
"Without a mainstay at striker since John Spencer retired"
What about Jeff Cunningham? 12 goals in 2005 IIRC.
January 6, 2009
5:12 PM
George Tanner writes:
by "mainstay" i meant a legitimate threat who was a long-term part of the rapids' lineup. cunningham was a legitimate threat, but his short stay with the team was not helpful to the club, whatever the reasons behind the timing. peguero jean-phillippe had a longer tenure, but his effectiveness was nowhere near cunningham's. although spencer had some injury problems that sapped a couple of seasons of effectiveness from his mls career, nobody has been as dangerous up front for a sustained period since he retired. casey has that potential. and who knows? cummings and mcmanus may also have that potential. only time will tell.
January 8, 2009
11:35 PM
Soccer Blog writes:
Smith replaces Clavijo at number 1??? Clavijo quits at number 3 was a bigger news in 2008.
January 14, 2009
10:54 PM
Eric writes:
Choosing Gary Smith over John Murphy as head coach was a huge mistake in a long series of miscues by this franchise. As a long time season ticketholder and one who was quite close to the team, this needs to be said loud and clear. John Murphy built the Reserve Team and was a far more respected leader with players and fans than Clavijo!!! John will be sorely missed by his team and the Rapids fanbase as he was the key future leader of this often misguided and ineptly managed organization. I have seen many players with great potential leave under the arrogant aloof Clavijo regime and I see this franchise continue to flounder and sink. Wherever John lands next they will be one fortunate organization!!!