After a month kept under wraps on a back training field, veteran French defender Julien Baudet emerged to make his Colorado Rapids debut in front of an enthusiastic crowd for the team's international friendly with Mexico's Club America Wednesday night.
Baudet and the Rapids waited until Wednesday's international transfer window opened, and as soon as it did, Baudet leapt through it with both feet, landing at center back and immediately showing the kind of veteran presence he can bring to the Rapids back four.
Calling it "the best feeling ever," Baudet reveled in the chance to play a competitive match with his new teammates, and he is already looking forward to making an impact in Saturday's important match in D.C.
"To get out there and get involved with the team, it's brilliant," Baudet said. "I couldn't wait to get out there and play soccer now."
The 30-year-old native of Grenoble, France joins the Rapids in the midst of a 10-year professional career, most recently serving as the team captain for Crewe Alexandra of English League One. He meshed quickly with his teammates in a game featuring far more substitutions than normal, lots of transitions in the lineup, and constant pressure from Club America. The defense rose to the occasion, defending their net and keeping a clean sheet against a talented attack.
"We stayed strong in the back," Baudet said. "We kept our shape really good. We played them offside a couple times as well. It's just down to talking and working on the training pitch. Tonight it worked pretty well."
His ability to lead the defense was in evidence early on against Club America, and though he might still be working on getting his skills in synch with his new club, head coach Gary Smith was pleased with what he saw from Baudet, getting what he expected after six months spent courting the defender.
"I see him making an impact in our team as soon as he's physically ready," Smith said, hoping to make use of Baudet Saturday in D.C. "He'll bring some much needed experience in that back four, and he brings a different quality to the group. He's more of an organizer. At the moment he's suffering with some of his timing, but then that's the build up to playing league games. He does attack the ball well in general, and he is a good leader. That will be a good addition to the group."
Baudet has made the most of his month with the squad, taking advantage of training sessions to lay the foundation of working with his fellow defenders. The Rapids have more depth on defense than anywhere else on the field, and Baudet's success in Colorado could hinge on his ability to adapt along with his teammates and form a consistent and stingy unit, capable of dealing clean sheets as they did against the aggressive Club America side.
"The first thing you need to do when you arrive at a new club is start to gel with everybody at the club," Baudet said. "Get to know each other as quick as possible. Especially when you're center back, the understanding with the other one is vital. Communication is vital. And that's what I've tried to do since I arrived here. Get to know each other."
Baudet made no bones about his verbal inclinations, constantly talking to his colleagues on the back four and to a midfield in flux as Smith took advantage of the unlimited substitutions and the opportunity to get a variety of players into a variety of roles. Baudet started in the center beside Ty Harden, while Cory Gibbs, a fixture at center back in Colorado, slid to fullback and reserve player Rob Valentino took the other flank.
"The more you talk, sometimes it's going to save you runs for 10, 20 yards," Baudet said. "Just the partnership, that understanding in the back, and with the two defending midfielders, it's vital. If you keep that shape, and you're not running around like a headless chicken at times, it can be a massive help for the team and for yourself as well."
Smith seemed inclined to think of Baudet as a starting defender for the Rapids, speaking of the friendly as part of the newcomer's process of "being ready for the first team." A hamstring cramp in the second half led to Baudet's departure from the field just shy of the 60-65-minute target Smith had set for him, and the Rapids will closely monitor his condition as they prepare for D.C.
"Suddenly he's been thrown quite a high tempo game against a very good Club America team after a PDL game," Smith said, noting Baudet's only experience since leaving England has been to participate in low-level scrimmages. "He's made that step, maybe too quickly. It's difficult because he's one of a few individuals we're trying to get ready as quickly as possible. I hope we haven't paid the price for that."
Baudet had no concern about being ready to take the field in some capacity Saturday.
"It's just a bad cramp in the hamstring," he said. "I went off that sprint and I could feel it coming. I said, 'it's going to go away, it's going to go away,' and then, 'no, it's not.' The muscle just seized up and I couldn't move. I don't know if it's the altitude, the heat, or just my competitive game. My last game was the second of May back in England."
His role as team captain with Crewe Alexandra speaks to the experience and strength he brings to the field, and while he remains uncertain about exactly how he will fit on the Rapids roster, he is confident of his ability to contribute to the team's playoff push.
"All I know is what I'm capable of doing, and I'm pretty sure I can bring that to the team," Baudet said.
Owen Perkins is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
