SB Nation - Colorado Rapids

Steve Zakuani And Brian Mullan: Forgiveness And Sportsmanship In Photos

Aaron Campeau — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 08:03:41 -0000

All photos courtesy of Brendan Vaughn (@bmvaughn)

VIDEO: Steve Zakuani Returns To MLS

Aaron Campeau — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 07:52:41 -0000

On April 22nd of 2011, Steve Zakuani's career nearly came to an end. Colorado Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan's challenge left Zakuani with a fractured tibia and fibula; his recovery would be marked by serious setbacks such as nerve damage and compartment syndrome. On July 7th of 2012, Steve Zakuani made his return to MLS in front of nearly 40,000 fans. The crowd's response says it all.

(Video after the jump.)

Zakuani looked a bit rusty and off the pace, but Sounders fans should be encouraged that his quickness and speed were still clearly evident in bursts. As has been the case throughout Zakuani's recovery, there will be setbacks, roadblocks and disappointments. But the question of "when?" has finally been put to rest. It's going to be awhile yet until Zakuani is back to his best, but just getting back onto the pitch is an enormous step. Zak's back, everybody. Enjoy it.

Rapids Donate Shirts To Wildfire Relief Charity

Jeremiah Oshan — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:37:03 -0000

At least the Colorado Rapids are putting the empty space on their shirts to good use these days. With wildfires charring huge swaths of Colorado, the Rapids opted to feature the charity HelpColoradoNow.org on their shirts for their game against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday. They also featured the Colorado state flag alongside their crest.

"The wildfires throughout our state have caused unprecedented damage, and we all have to do our part to help support those affected," said Colorado Rapids President Tim Hinchey in a team release. "Putting HelpColoradoNow.org on the front of our jerseys is the most visible and effective way we can drive awareness and donations to organizations that are providing assistance in this time of need."

The shirts will be auctioned off with proceeds also going to the same charity.

Dwayne De Rosario Named MLS Player Of The Week

Samuel Chamberlain — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:27:31 -0000

After winning MLS Player of the Week honors three times while a member of D.C. United in 2011, Dwayne De Rosario has earned the prestigious honor for the first time in 2012.

The North American Soccer Reporters organization gave De Rosario the honor for the 10th time in his MLS career, which matches DeRo with Edson Buddle, Cobi Jones, and Ante Razov for third-most on MLS' all-time list.

De Rosario scored three goals in the Black-And-Red's two home matches this past week. He opened the scoring in United's 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids Wednesday and added two more on the 3-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday.

De Rosario now has five goals in 2012, tied with Chris Pontius for second-most on the team behind Maicon Santos. The Canadian international's seven assists are by far the most on the club, with Nick DeLeon and Brandon McDonald a distant second with three apiece.

D.C. United's season resumes on Saturday with a match against the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.

For more on D.C. United, check out Black And Red United.

Earthquakes to Host EPL's Swansea City on July 31 At Buck Shaw Stadium

Shmuckreport — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:53:40 -0000

According to a report from the San Jose Mercury News' Elliot Almond, the San Jose Earthquakes will host the English Premiere League's Swansea city on July 31 at Buck Shaw Stadium for it's annual summer meeting with a club outside of the MLS.

Make the jump for more information.

This marks the third straight year the Earthquakes have played an EPL club in a summer exhibition after taking on West Bromwich Albion FC last season in which the Quakes won 2-1.

The Swans aren't erxactly Manchestuer United or Chelsea, they are still part of one of the greatest leagues in the world. They've also made some history as the first Welsh team to make it all the way to the Premiership. Swansea City (11-15-11) is currently 12th in the standings and will be back in the Premiership next season.

Swansea City will also play the Colorado Rapids on July 24.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Quakes, head over to Quake, Rattle, and Goal.

TV Schedule, May 2: Red Sox Close Series With A's; Revs Host Rapids

sportsgirlkat — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:01:19 -0000

Wednesday's TV schedule, complete with channels and times, customized for the Boston sports fan. Click on highlighted teams' names for complete schedules, scores, and previews, plus an active community devoted to your team. All times ET and approximate.

MLB

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics - 7 p.m. (TV: NESN) The Oakland A's stopped a three game skid and took a 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox will look to rebound in the rubber game, as they send Daniel Bard to the mound. The A's start Brandon McCarthy, who picked up his first win this season last Friday.

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees - 7 p.m. (TV: ESPN)

MLS

New England Revolution vs. Colorado Rapids - 8 p.m. (TV: Comcast SportsNet New England) The New England Revolution play their third home game of the season with a midweek match against the Colorado Rapids. The Revs have dropped three games in a row, and haven't defeated Colorado since 2007.

NHL

NHL Playoffs: Round Two

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals - 7:30 p.m. (TV: NBC Sports Network)

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators - 9 p.m. (TV: CNBC)

NBA

NBA Playoffs: Round One

Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs - 7 p.m. (TV: TNT)

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic - 7:30 p.m. (TV: NBA)

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies - 9:30 p.m. (TV: TNT)

206 Clicks: Mariners Finally Say Goodbye To Oakland...For Two Months

Kevin Cacabelos — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:01:10 -0000

Mariners 5 Athletics 3 [box]: I'm sure A's fans are sick of playing us as we are sick of playing them. Thankfully for the sanity of both of these teams, they won't meet until June 25th in Seattle for a three-game series. The Mariners got its offense on Sunday from the bats of Justin Smoak and Brendan Ryan who both hit home runs off of Oakland's Graham Godfrey. Lookout Landing has some post-game analysis. Next game: Today, Seattle (6-5) vs. Cleveland Indians (4-4), 7:10 pm PT, ROOT Sports, 2.5 games back.

Read more links after the jump.

Sounders 1, Rapids 0 [stats]: Seattle took care of business against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Zach Scott scored his first goal in a very very very long time (like at least five years ago long). The Sounders are off to their best start in the franchise's history with ten points through five matches. Sounder at Heart has the postgame analysis. Next game: Saturday, April 28th, Seattle (3-1-1) at Chicago Fire (1-1-2), 5:30 pm PT, KONG, 5 points back.

Looking for a job? How does high school football sound? The South Sound area currently has four openings at Bonney Lake, Enumclaw, South Kitsap and Gig Harbor. In the Seattle-area, Franklin HS is currently accepting applications for a new head coach. Mount Vernon, Foss, Bellingham and Seattle Lutheran also have head coach openings.

Does Washington have an edge in the recruitment of class of 2013 basketball prospect, Jabari Parker? Pacific Takes looks at the situation. If there is a favorite, Washington has to be it. Anytime a family member that you're intimately close with is part of the Washington basketball staff, you have to assume that has some sort of influence even it's subconscious.

"According to sources familiar with his situation," San Francisco's Perris Blackwell is considering transferring to Washington per Percy Allen. Blackwell would be a solid addition to the Husky roster, but after watching him a handful of times in the past two years of WCC play, I don't think he's that much better than the bigs already on the Husky roster. If you want depth, than Blackwell is a great addition, but if you're looking for an impact offensive post presence, Blackwell will disappoint.

The Maloof brothers shot down the city of Sacramento's plan to build a new basketball arena for the Kings. Does this mean the Kings could move to Seattle? Unfortunately for Seattle fans, most insiders are those following the Kings' situation believe Anaheim is still higher up on the list as a relocation city. King 5's Chris Daniels has the report.

Have a story to share? Tweet me @KevinCacabelos

VIDEO: Quincy Amarikwa Hits From Distance

Jeremiah Oshan — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 04:03:32 -0000

Quincy Amarikwa has not scored many goals in his MLS career. Three of them, to be exact. He's often been accused of being more concerned with scoring pretty goals than just scoring goals period. Well, the goal he scored on Saturday during the Colorado Rapids' opener is unlikely to change his tune.

Amarikwa's golazo from about 20 yards out is instantly a goal of the year candidate. Just take a look:

Gary Smith Appears To Have Dug Own Grave With Rapids

Jeremiah Oshan — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:08:31 -0000

As we learn more and more about the saga that was Gary Smith's coaching tenure with the Colorado Rapids, it's becoming increasingly clear that there are really no good guys. The Rapids, by just about all indications, were being cheap in any number of ways, and waiting until six months after their coach won the franchise's first-ever MLS Cup to open negotiations on a new deal was just the most obvious.

But Smith hardly casts himself as a very sympathetic figure. Apparently, he's been complaining for quite some time about the way the team is run. Just a month or so ago, he went public with his displeasure with technical director Paul Bravo, saying one of them was going to have to go. Now, it comes out that he went public only after he had agreed to financial terms with the Rapids on an extension. That is not how an effective leader should behave.

In the end, it looks like the Rapids agreed. At some point between apparently agreeing to financial terms and actually agreeing on a finished contract, the Rapids realized that Smith just wasn't worth keeping around.

There have been some who have painted this whole saga as the Rapids punishing their coach for a disappointing MLS Cup title defense. That hardly seems to be the case. While the Rapids are no one's idea of a model organization, they at least understood that you can't have your coach running around badmouthing his bosses.

For their part, the Rapids say Smith's criticisms of Bravo were not why they decided to essentially fire the most successful coach in their history. They said it was more about the direction Smith was taking the team, and that the two sides just didn't see eye-to-eye.

Admittedly, I have never really liked Smith. He always seemed more interested in making excuses than finding solutions. He'd have us all believe that his team winning the MLS Cup was some kind of magical Cinderella story, rather than just the latest example of a the crapshoot nature of the MLS playoffs. He tried to convince us that not travelling with his team for a CONCACAF Champions League match was somehow a positive move. He explains that he only went public out of frustration, as if that changes anything.

The Rapids may be cheap. They may be poorly run. They may have treated Smith poorly. But, in this case at least, you really can't blame them.