A look at the big questions surrounding the Colorado Rapids for the 2007 season and looking ahead to the 2008 campaign:
WHAT DO THE RAPIDS NEED TO DO TO REACH THE MLS CUP FINAL IN '08?
Colorado's depth is one of their greatest strengths, coming off back-to-back reserve division championships. They have players ready to contribute, as evidenced by the frequent contributions as they filled recurring holes throughout the season from their reserve ranks, but their most glaring need is for consistency on the field throughout the season with a core group of starters who can build together from game to game. All teams face the disruption of injuries and national team call-ups, but the Rapids were especially hurt by an inability to develop team chemistry due to constant roster turnover, heightened by a series of trades in an effort to improve.
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '07?
The season's highlight came midway through a three-game winning streak at home. The Rapids reversed a 10-game winless streak and began building momentum to get back in the playoff hunt. After beating Houston on an own goal, they scored three goals for the first of two times, shutting out the Revs and playing their best soccer of the year as they took back-to-back wins against first-place teams. Jovan Kirovski scored two goals and rookie Omar Cummings buried his first MLS goal, while Colin Clark emerged as an offensive force to be reckoned with.
WHO MADE THE MOST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
Colin Clark launched himself from the bench, having made three starts in '06, to a fixture on the starting team, eventually making 16 starts and recording 26 shots, fourth most on the Rapids. His two goals and two assists were each tied for third on the Rapids, but his dynamic ability on offense helped spark the club, consistently penetrating opposing defenses and creating opportunities in front of the goal. As a local product from Fort Collins, Colo., Clark became a fan favorite, but his skills would play in any stadium.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO MOVE INTO THE TEAM?
There is no shortage of talent on the Rapids reserves ready to assume a starting role for the club in '08. Stephen Keel stands out as the leader of the reserves, pacing them to their second consecutive championship while logging the most minutes and even scoring a pair of goals from the back line. Omar Cummings made an even bigger impact with the Rapids, scoring a pair of goals, including the game-winner at Chivas USA, making the Rapids the only team to beat Chivas at home.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
The numbers painted a clear picture of the Rapids shortcomings in '07. Though they had the third-ranked defense, placing them on a par with the top teams in each conference, they scored fewer goals than every MLS team save expansion Toronto FC. Colorado saw plenty of contributors jump-start its dormant offense from time to time, with Jovan Kirovski winning the team Golden Boot and Herculez Gomez picking up the pace, despite losing time to injuries. Midfielders Terry Cooke and Pablo Mastroeni were reliable and consistent, but the Rapids were never able to maintain an attacking rhythm.
What's more, they lost ground as the game went on, losing a 17-13 goals for vs. goals against edge in their first halves with a 12-21 deficit in the second half, indicating a lag in their ability to adapt in the interval. Despite a 9-2-3 record when scoring first, they never recovered when opponents scored first, going 0-11-3 in those situations. The Rapids need to step up their scoring in '08, keeping the pressure on for 90 minutes and adjusting on the fly while maintaining their strengths on the back line and in the midfield.
The Rapids have finished above .500 only once in the past five seasons, going 10-9-11 in '04. In a league where more than half of the teams make the playoffs, the Rapids cannot be content to merely contend for a berth from three or four games under .500. They need to set their sights on dramatic improvement and begin to internalize the lessons learned from competing against the league's consistent winning clubs.
Owen Perkins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
