With the secondary transfer window now closed (3 p.m. MDT Thursday), the time for MLS teams to wheel and deal on players for a stretch run has ended. Still in last place in the Western Conference, the Colorado Rapids made no moves at the deadline.
This brings us to the dilemma at hand, where do the Colorado Rapids go from here?
After getting outplayed late by the L.A. Galaxy in last Saturday’s 3-1 loss, time is running out for the Rapids to make a last-gasp playoff run.
Rapids technical director Paul Bravo spoke to MLSsoccer.com about the Rapids playoff chances and if any transfers were possible saying, “It’s not a secret as to where we sit in the standings, so we’re looking at everything.” Still, no moves were made.
Also, an increasingly interesting situation with the Rapids homegrown product Shane O’Neill continues to develop. Reports had surfaced that O’Neill might be on his way to play in Cyprus and then be loaned to another club. The 21-year-old has only featured in four games this season for the Rapids.
Bravo set the record straight.
“He’s still a member of our club; it’s all speculation at this point. We’ve chosen to give Shane some down time to recharge his battery,” Bravo said. “Over the last 18 months, he’s had a lot of soccer. Despite the fact that he’s not played with us on a regular basis, he’s still played as many games, if not more with international call-ups, with Open Cup, with league and he had an early start to preseason. With a young man like that, we have to continue to monitor his progress both mentally and physically.”
Additionally, the Rapids have brought in former West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender Roger Johnson who has been training with the first team.
The 32-year-old Johnson has made more than 450 appearances in both the English Premier league and the Championship in 15 seasons.
Whether he will stay with the Rapids remains to be seen.
“‘Trial’ is an interesting word. More than anything else, he’s a guy that wanted to come over. Obviously, with our backline, I wouldn’t categorize it as a trial. It’s more of seeing what Roger is about,” Bravo explained. “If there are any opportunities to strengthen the squad in a position that is strong already, then we’ll look to do it. You don’t get (Premier League experience) too often, especially in players that just want to train and get a feeling for what our league is about. He’s a vocal guy so he brings a bit of leadership as well. Any opportunity for a player like that to train with our club, see our club and take that message back is important for us.”
While defense seems to be a position the Rapids have shored up and have plenty of options, they severely lack attacking options with proven track records.
The Rapids are last in the MLS with only 19 goals scored this season and that is simply not good enough nor anywhere close enough to actually contend in MLS these days.
Barring some extraordinary events, this season will again not see the Rapids in the playoffs – it’s disconcerting for a team that used to be an annual playoff team not that long ago.
With teams like the Galaxy recently acquiring Giovani dos Santos from Villareal, and Didier Drogba joining the Montreal Impact from Chelsea FC, MLS as a whole continues to grow in stature and competiveness.
For Rapids fans, this offseason is especially important, as the team can’t continue to fall behind their competitors as they look ahead to next season.
With the transfer window opening up again the day following the MLS Cup Final in December, expect to see the Rapids being active participants then.
Sammy Mugharbil, a Mile High Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver contributed to this report
