The Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew executed a trade on Tuesday that sees forward Cornell Glen moving to the Mile High City in exchange for defender Ritchie Kotschau. Relocating is nothing new to Glen, a native of Trinidad, as he joins his fourth team in three seasons. Kotschau spent the last 4 1/2 seasons in Denver, but has also seen time for the Chicago Fire (1998-99) and the now-defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny (1999-2001).
After being a regular starter in the league since his rookie campaign in 1998, Kotschau lost his starting spot late in the season under head coach Fernando Clavijo and was moved to the substitute's bench. A move to Crew Stadium will likely see Kotschau back in more regular action for a team that desperately needs defensive cover.
"I'm looking forward to joining Columbus," said Kotschau. "Fernando (Clavijo) and I are on a different agenda. He wants things done a certain way and for some reason I'm not that fit for him. I am looking forward to a fresh start and coming in and helping the team out."
The Crew are in need of defensive assistance after finishing last in the Eastern Conference in 2005, missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs one year after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield. The Crew suffered 16 losses and allowed 45 goals in 32 matches last season.
"The addition of Ritchie gives us an experienced left-sided defender who also has the ability to play as an outside back or in the center of the defense," said Columbus Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "We are very excited to add Ritchie to our roster."
The Rapids seemed to have the opposite problem, allowing only 37 goals but scoring only 40 of their own, the fewest of any of the teams that qualified for the postseason. Despite efforts to beef up the attack with midseason acquisitions Jovan Kirovski, Diego Serna and Fabrice Noel, Colorado still had trouble finding the back of the net.
This is the second consecutive offseason in which the Rapids have turned to the Crew for offensive options. Prior to 2005, Colorado traded for then-Crew forward Jeff Cunningham. The Jamaican-born U.S. international went on to score 13 goals for his new club.
Both Glen and Kotschau carry international experience to their new clubs. Glen has appeared 42 times for the Trinidad & Tobago national team, which qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by beating Bahrain in a two-game playoff. Kotschau earned his first cap for the full U.S. national team in March, starting in a 3-0 win against Colombia. He had played for the USA at all youth levels.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
