Three simple questions: Colorado Rapids

We move along in our series with the Rapids, who wildly disappointed fans by slumping down the stretch to miss out on the playoffs thanks to a closing day loss to arch rivals Real Salt Lake - who have added insult to injury by making it to MLS Cup. Yeesh. For this autopsy/look ahead, we turn to Class VI Grand Poobah Mark Bodmer. And yes, that is his actual title... what of it?

NSC: What went wrong?

MB: The main issue was the injury bug hit hard. Colin Clark on the left and both flank players on the right (Smith & Peterson) were put on the season ending injury list. From there, things spiraled quickly with the team unable to change their shape and tactics to accommodate having no outside midfielders. Coach Smith tried sticking with the same 4-4-2 that the team had found success with, but with defenders or central midfielders on the flanks, the result was teams solely focusing on Casey and Cummings without any worry about defending it's flanks. The lack of offensive output from the middle of the field was exposed for the liability it is, and the players that were shifted to the ouside midfield had their confidence shaken. Smith had no answers and the players failed to elevate to the challenge.

NSC: What went right?

MB: Omar Cummings and Conor Casey had two of the best seasons any Rapids players have ever had. Cummings in particular, looks like a players who's upper bounds aren't in sight. Colin Clark also took it to the next level, however it will take 'til mid-summer for him to get back in form. Kimura elevated his game at right back and Jordan Harvey proved to be the second best left back the Rapids have ever had. Matt Pickens looked like a nice pickup as well. If Coach Smith can make two or three key moves in the off season, the team could move into the top of the West for the first time ever.

NSC: What, if not who, does the team need to acquire?

MB: In the middle of the park, we generate no offense. LaBrocca and Mastroeni are both defensive-minded players, and Mehdi Ballouchy failed to prove he's capable of commanding the play for the Rapids. It was sorely exposed when our outside midfielders went down. As for a target, this is a big opportunity for the team to find someone from outside MLS to bring the Rapids into the forefront of attacking soccer in MLS.


- Greg Seltzer