Bad News: The Rapids – actually the “makeshift” Rapids according to Coach Gary Smith – lost to Toronto. The Good News: on a points-per-game-played basis, the Rapids are still in the running for a Wild Card spot, with 1.5, less than last week’s average. Toronto’s ppm is 1.36, putting them in the “contenders” category. The remaining opponents are San Jose, Kansas City, New England (current wild card contender), Dallas and Real Salt Lake (contender status). Can the makeshift Rapids put together a viable shot at the playoffs? Pablo Mastroeni has to sit out another game, so the mid-field remains populated with guys who haven’t had a lot of playing time as a group, although Ballouchy will be back. At least Casey and Cummings are still healthy and not off playing for National teams.
Casey was featured in an online chat today with ESPN. If you blinked you missed it. For future reference, a chat lasts maybe 10 minutes, and the questions are submitted ahead of time. Casey attracted questions from Boston to NYC to Colorado to California. The most significant question was about head shaving — when and what kind of razor? Casey replied that he shaves his head the night before a game. I’m glad that was cleared up.
Poll Results Summaries
Here are results from some of polls I posted previously:
Ugo’s trade to Dallas:
37% Not Surprised
16% About Time
32% Bad Decision
16% Whatever
So the majority of voters seem OK with him leaving.
What other local sports hero would have made a great soccer player?
Joe Sakic 50%
Birdman 25%
Tulowitzki 22%
Elway 3%
Somehow it’s really hard to picture Elway running up and down the pitch in a soccer kit.
The Terry Cooke Waiver
33% outraged
33% annoyed
20% sad but had to happen
27% neutral
no one happy about it.
Getting back to Gary Smith’s post-game comments to MLSnet, he thought the team did a good job under the circumstances. So he’s disappointed that they didn’t come away with points, but not disappointed in the effort, considering all the injuries and suspensions.
What do you think about the Rapids chances to make the playoffs? The poll is – hopefully – to the right.
