Because soccer isn't gay, but once in awhile it kinda is.
Colorado Rapids
Soccer Ally May: Colorado Rapids
05/08/13
Two days into our May recruitment push for our Allies List and we already have five new players signed on so let’s keep up that great pace with the Colorado Rapids.
As with our other teams so far this week the Rapids are represented by only one player on the list, and that’s only by way of an offseason trade: Nathan Sturgis whom they acquired from Houston in December.
So let’s push for another good day today. We’ll keep an eye on our @gay4soccer mentions and the #soccerally hashtag for players up for joining. And there is midweek action tonight so if you’re in a place where you meet up with a player you can ask them in person.
Here’s the list of players from the Colorado Rapids on Twitter:
Colorado Rapids: Jersey Week 2013
02/26/13
After an early reveal of the new home jersey last fall, the Colorado Rapids brought out their new away kit on last night’s evening news in Denver.
ColoradoRapids.com
In September of last year the Colorado Rapids unveiled their 2013 home kit during a meet the team event for season ticket holders. The home kit has the names of season ticket holders interwoven in parts of the fabric. The two other added features to these kits are the white sleeves and small Colorado flag on the bottom left side. The white sleeves were described as show of solidarity with their partner club Arsenal, while the names on the kit were announced during the preseason as part of the “One Club” initiative for both fans and the Rapids employees.
I was able to see the kit for the first time this past Saturday at the “Centennial 38” preseason supporters’ party. When I first heard about the names of season ticket holders being added to the kit, I was relatively happy. Seeing the kit in person made me even more pleased with the final product. The names are small, but readable and they go in alphabetical order. Overall the kit doesn’t clash and having no corporate sponsor on the front helps. Burgundy is a unique color in MLS, and I am happy the Rapids have fully embraced it.
Kosuke Kimura: Colorado Rapids Friday Eye Candy
06/01/12
Posted above is a picture taken from last weeks match against Montreal Impact. Kosuke Kimura came over and celebrated with the Pid Army before heading into the dressing room. Its fair to say, he keeps his body in order. Thanks Kosuke for the wonderful view up close.
Kosuke Kimura statistics: http://www.coloradorapids.com/players/kosuke-kimura
What a Wild Week for the Colorado Rapids
05/31/12
The work week finally concluded for the Rapids as they played two matches in four days. On Saturday the Rapids hosted Montreal in what was an absolute thriller in the final 10 minutes, then the club traveled down to St. Petersburg to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League in the 3rd round of the United States Open Cup Tournament.
The first match of the week was absolute atrocious, as the club played out of sync from the opening whistle. The Rapids failed to gain much possession to which they are accustomed too in the first half, though they went into the half with a one goal lead from a penalty kick by Larentowicz (min 18) and a solid header by Moor (min 39). The Impact continued to pressure the Rapids in the second half by controlling the tempo of their offense and attacking the center of the Rapids back line.
To DC and Back for Colorado
05/16/12
Well my fellow G4S readers, I am sorry I haven’t been able to post anything recently as I have been consumed by work and my family life. But now that I have a quick break from it all, let’s talk Rapids today, shall we?
Today the Rapids face DC United at 5:30 MT on Altitude TV/MLS Live. Currently the Rapids are in 5th place in the Western Conference table (last 5 matches L-L-W-L-W) and are sitting just three points behind DC in the combined table. It will be an interesting game as the Rapids will also host a home game this upcoming weekend, which lineup will Pareja and company use?
Soccer Ally May: Colorado Rapids
05/08/12
Well, yesterday was our first strike out day with no LA Galaxy players joining the Allies List. We will continue to press for their support, especially if after today they are the only team with a goose egg on the list.
Today we focus on the Colorado Rapids, the final club without any players on our list. But Club President Tim Hinchey and Media Relations Director David Lindholm are both Soccer Allies.
Supporters group The Pid Army is also supportive of the GLBT community including our own Colorado writer Teddy who has been able to fly a pride flag in the supporters’ section at matches this year, including on their Rocky Mountain Cup trip to Real Salt Lake.
So let’s get some players on the list! Help us tweet at the guys below asking them to be a #soccerally!
Oh Emerald City, Please be Kind to Colorado
04/13/12
This weekend the Rapids head to Seattle to face the Sounders. This game has all sorts of storylines you can write, but none will be greater than Brian Mullan playing his first match in Seattle since last year’s incident. Now everyone has their own opinion about it and I am sure the supporters in Seattle will clearly state theirs on Saturday afternoon.
But to be honest, I really hope they do. It’s simple for me to say GET OVER IT. It wasn’t intentional; it was a strong, poorly-done tackle. So to everyone in Seattle–please boo Brian Mullan and voice your dislike for the Rapids. The reason I am strongly encouraging it is because the Rapids are absolute thugs
and should be treated that way. A little bit over sarcastic I am sure, but it’s a game where players get caught up in the heat of situations. Right or wrong what Mullan did wasn’t in intent to injure. Now we
have all read some sort of blog or article trying to state otherwise. But if you have ever met Mullan you would understand he is a great guy who is deeply family oriented that plays the game with such high intensity and passion it can be seen by even a “casual” fan.
Reality is, the Rapids aren’t going to Seattle worrying about the fans, the players, or what anyone else thinks about what has happened in the past. They just want to play a competitive match and get three points. The Rapids are eyeing the return of Conor Casey to their lineup next week. So I’d expect a lineup much like last week against RSL. I haven’t been able to catch up on any Seattle Sounders games so my G4S buddies in Seattle may have to brief me on their possible lineup.
These games are always fun to watch as the turf in Seattle really does speed up the game. I also like playing the Sounders because I get to watch several players who are very attractive and who are also on our Allies list. I’ll go out on a limb and predict a 2-1 score, where no one better than Brian Mullan scoring the game winning goal.
Cheers Seattle!
Rocky Mountain Cup Leg 1 Recap
04/10/12
In the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup Saturday the Colorado Rapids lost 2-0 to Real Salt Lake, with goals coming in the 20th minute (Saborio) and in the 57th minute (Espindola). The game was fairly entertaining from start to finish, towards the end of the match some physical play had begun to develop between several players. In the last twenty minutes alone 4 yellow cards were handed out, and the final total fouls in the game were 21 (14 – RSL, 7 – COL). The possession battle was clearly one sided in the first half with Real Salt Lake holding almost a 70% advantage over the Rapids, the end possession stats show though that in the second half the Rapids controlled play. If I had to give a Man of the Match performance I would give it to Fabian Espindola. All night he was burning Colorado’s defense, creating many opportunities for RSL.
The one guy who didn’t play so well was Omar Cummings. I hate to criticize a player who I personally like and have talked to on several occasions. But it is so frustrating to see him lost and playing with no heart (at least in my opinion) the entire match. Hopefully he gets out of this really bad 18 month form, and becomes the player he was in 2010. Obviously getting Conor Casey back will help, as both of them tear it up together.
Rocky Mountain Cup Means Hate Week
04/06/12
This week has become known as hate week in both Colorado and Salt Lake City, and possibly for good reason. Both Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids have had a decent amount of history with some very physical games with each other, both of which have been winners of two of the last three MLS Cups. The Rocky Mountain Cup was created by the fans for the fans; a committee called the C-10 (made up of 5 supporters from each club) was established and still exists today.
From a supporter’s point of view this game is extremely important as each club battles to win the Rocky Mountain Cup (RMC) that of which Real Salt Lake holds a dominating command over the Rapids since ’07. The series results are one sided since Kyle Beckerman was traded from Colorado to RSL.
This season will have a three game set–two of which are in Salt Lake City. Both clubs understand the importance of these matches for their fan bases. In my opinion this rivalry is as good as any in the MLS and should be regarded as game of the week over Sporting Kansas City versus Los Angeles. It will also feature two of the best dressed coaches in the league in Oscar Pareja and Jason Kreis who know a little too much about each other from their playing days back in MLS 1.0.
Colorado Rapids: Our Leader. Our Captain. What’s Next?
03/30/12
As many of you have heard recently, Pablo Mastroeni has been withheld from several training sessions recently with ongoing headaches, a problem that stems from last season’s injury in the final match against RSL. Pablo Mastroeni has been a reliable player-one who doesn’t miss too many matches unless he is disciplined. The NFL in recent years has been trying to cut back the amount of brain injuries that occur to players, by thorough evaluations from the team’s medical staff. In soccer hits to the head occur often when playing 50/50 balls, something that cannot be changed in the game. Unfortunately Pablo has what seems to be a severe case of a concussion.
Now I am no doctor, but being withheld from 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs and missing several practices isn’t a good sign for any player yet alone one who plays at such an intense rate. Hopefully at some point Pablo gains full recovery from his symptoms regardless if he plays another game or not. A player’s health should not be jeopardized for any teams’ gain, as result it seems highly unlikely that he will play in the Rapids current trip to New York which would cause concern for the club. The question mark would then focus on the Rapids depth at mid field as they could be potentially starting two younger less experienced players.
Hopefully Pareja is thinking about the possibility of Pablo not returning, that way there he can have a plan b option. If Pablo can’t return I am hoping Pareja has a position open to him for coaching (Pablo recently obtained his coaching license). I am not ready to hang Pablos boots up yet, but if he cannot recover from these symptoms one of the Rapids more attractive players will be lost, and honestly who doesn’t have a secret crush on someone who is so passionate for something he loves? Be honest.
I cannot imagine the Rapids without a player who has done the club so proud-gone. So Pablo, I wish you the best in your recovery process and I hope your outstanding career could have at least one more match left in ya…
