Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
The Colorado Rapids may be the defending MLS Cup champions, but that apparently doesn't mean they take that title serious enough to put in their best effort in CONCACAF Champions League. How else to explain why Gary Smith has apparently elected to remain home, while he sends a group of mostly reserves to play a rather important game against Isidro Metapan.
It's hard to fault Smith for leaving some of his starters back in Denver, as there's no question their spot in the MLS playoffs has suddenly turned quite precarious. The Rapids have claimed just two points in their last five games and are suddenly just five points ahead of the No. 11 team in the playoffs, while having one less match to play. That Tyrone Marshall, Wells Thompson and Omar Cummings are the only regular starters making the trip is no hugely surprising.
What is a bit more shocking, and frankly somewhat offensive, is that Smith apparently can't be bothered to join his team for a match that will likely determine their CCL fortunes. Maybe there's an explanation for this, and I'd be happy to hear it. But considering this is the same coach who sent only 14 players to a U.S. Open Cup qualifier and last week downplayed the importance of CCL, it hardly seems shocking that he would now skip such an important game.
The Rapids are, at least theoretically, the standard bearer of our league. That they see fit to disrespect the tournament like this is a black eye on the entire league.
3 comments
1
Sep 27
Jeremiah Oshan:
Gary Smith Does MLS Disservice By Skipping Trip
3
Sep 27
Comments
Who cares
They won and if i were them i would do the same. They have a taste of the champions league and now they know how it is if they make it again. I think MLS needs to switch up the setup. Have it be the top three for the mls, then the open cup winner, and the winning canadian team because right now MLS doesnt have their best teams being represented. Toronto nor Vancouver are anywhere good enough to represent MLS but i can see why they do it. Other than them i would say the teams are great.
by jdn8011 on Sep 29, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions
MLS/US Soccer
Has no say about how the Canadian teams get in. None of the Canadian MLS teams can qualify through MLS play, even if they win the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in the same year. It’s irrelevant.
SB Nation's World Soccer Editor, manager of Cartilage Free Captain, contributor to Acme Packing Company.
by Kevin McCauley on Sep 30, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh
I did not know that. thank you for clerifying.
by jdn8011 on Oct 1, 2011 3:41 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed