May 31st, 2008 . 2:21 pm . By: Jason Benfield

COLORADO RAPIDS FORMATION

Clavijo began the season with a lot of success playing out of a 4-5-1 formation. Eventually, however, other teams adjusted and began preventing Christian Gomez, who was sitting just behind the striker, from seeing much of the ball; after the chances started drying up and Colorado were finally shut out at home against San Jose, the switch was made to a 4-4-2. After a stretch of games, Colorado lost at Houston without creating many opportunities, which led to another change, this time to the 3-5-2. Colorado lost last weekend to Chivas, but had the run of play for a majority of the match. Clavijo could choose to switch things up again, but they chose to stick with the 3-5-2 in a win against LA in Open Cup play, so they will probably stick with it on Sunday.

If Colorado play in the 3-5-2, you will see a system that is much more traditional than the one FCD likes to throw out. The back three play deep, not pressing forward, and not relying on the offside trap. This creates a lot of space in the midfield so that Colorado can try to work a possession game. It also encourages the other team to push their back line up, so that Colorado can take advantage of their speed at forward. The outside backs stay wide, not pinching inside, as Colorado rely on their defensive midfielders to stay home in the middle and play in strictly a defensive role. None of the defenders are expected to go forward; this was even true when they ran the 4-4-2. The outside mids certainly help out defensively, but are required to put an offensive influence on the game. They are expected to join the attack and provide service from wide positions on every foray up the field. Because the two defensive mids stay home, the attacking midfielder has little defensive responsibility and is allowed to serve in a purely creative role. At the top, the Rapids do not play with a traditional target striker/center forward arrangement. Instead, they value both speed and energy to create opportunities. Both forwards will tend to come back into the midfield for the ball in order to maintain possession, as well as provide a threat for balls over the top.

Against Chivas, even though Colorado had the run of play, they struggled to create quality chances on goal. In fact, the goal that was scored was a moment of individual brilliance rather than a creation through the run of play. They are obviously adapting to the new formation, and too often would bypass the midfield through long balls played from the back. The central midfielders, although very skilled, simply were not involved in much of the play. This should change as Colorado continue to adjust and adapt. I expect the 3-5-2 to be very successful with this set of personnel as the season rolls on.

COLORADO ROSTER

Just a reminder of the rating system:

1 = Developmental player
2 = Solid bench player
3 = Below average starter in MLS
4 = Above average starter in MLS
5 = All-star caliber player in MLS
6 = Superstar

Mehdi Ballouchy – 3 - Ballouchy has shown that he can start and do well in the league. He has not taken the next step forward yet, but has shown the flashes of being a very skilled, creative player. The move to the 3-5-2 creates a nice role for him as the backup to Christian Gomez at attacking midfield. He should fill that role quite well and is a strong reserve for a very deep team.

Jose Burciaga Jr – 3 – How the mighty have fallen… once considered a prominent left back in the league and a future candidate for the US National Team, Burciaga’s defensive play has slipped over the last two years as he has failed to develop a compliment to his attacking abilities. Last season he was benched by KC, and now is riding the pine with Colorado after starting the season as a starter, displaced by the rookie Harvey. Has speed, is a solid crosser, great shot. But is a poor tackler and a poor marker. Clavijo has not wanted his defenders to venture forward much all season, and he is certainly not a good fit for that environment.

Preston Burpo – 3 - Experience in the A-league and with Chivas USA makes him one of the top backups in the league. Easily capable of starting. Good size, good positioning. Is not aggressive off of his line, which makes for a huge style contrast with the starting keeper. Should be okay when facing shots, but expect there to be some confusion when the back line expects him to come out on a break and he stays home.

Conor Casey – 2 - One-time US National team forward may be all washed up at 27. Once had the size, work rate, and foot skill to develop into a quality target forward. After a good start in Germany, struggled to maintain form and repeatedly suffered injuries. Picked up another knee injury after his move to MLS and has never recovered. Has not looked fit thus far this season, and has lost any speed he ever had. There is a chance he could recover over time, but right now he is just not an effective player.

Colin Clark – 4 – Left midfielder started the season as a 3 but has improved his consistency and is now a very effective winger in the league. Still needs to be more consistent. Sometimes forces the cross when no opportunity is there, and looks past a 1-v-1 or through-ball opportunity. Can improve decision making on the ball. Is at his best when playing with confidence and aggression – makes quick decisions and takes advantage of skill and athleticism under those conditions. As his confidence and consistency improve, he will develop into one of the best wingers in the league.

Nico Colaluca – 2 – Promising winger can play either side, but is buried on the bench. Will have problems breaking through this season with the depth of the team, but is a skilled player and one of the reasons the reserve team has been so successful over the last two years.

Terry Cooke – 4 - Right winger has played at an all-star level at times over the last two seasons, but had a rough run of form and has been on the bench over the past few weeks. Could get a start this weekend because Peterson was not effective in the last match. Has a nice shot, but doesn’t come inside enough to consistently be a threat. Possibly the best crosser in the league behind Beckham. Arrival of Gomez has taken him off of set pieces so has less of an impact. Penchant to stay wide and serve crosses makes him a one-trick pony, so can be marked or schemed out of a game and be made less effective.

Buona Coundoul – 4 - Starting goalie has been outstanding this season. Last season was an athletic freak who got caught out of position and gave up some poor rebounds. This season, has made much better decisions, some key saves, and doesn’t give up as many rebounds. Decision making improvement has been a key. Defense relies too heavily at times on his ability to come out for the ball, and that will come back to haunt them both as the season goes on and when he is absent. Has been much, much better this season on coming out on crosses. Out against Dallas with international duty.

Omar Cummings – 3 - After serving as a late-game forward sub last season, Cummings has been a first-choice striker this season and really impressed. First touch has dramatically improved. One of the fastest players in the league; would give Oduro a run for his money. Has finished chances quite well this season. Seems to be improving with experience and is a player to watch as the season goes on. Doesn’t create his own chance off the dribble, but has nice first-time finishing abilities off of a pass.

John DiRaimondo – 3 – Started several games at the start of the season as a defensive midfielder. Doesn’t do anything special, but plays the role quite well by cleaning things up in the middle and making the smart, easy pass out of danger. Another strong young player developed by the Rapids. Capable of starting and performing at an adequate level for the Rapids, even though he seems to have lost out on the second defensive midfield slot to LaBrocca. Is one of the reasons that Mastroeni is tradable.

Facundo Erpen – 4 – Looked like a future league star when he broke through with DC United at center back. Lack of speed caught up with him last season and was traded to Colorado. Now playing left back in the back three, but also plays in the middle in a 4 back set. Very strong in the air, good passer out of the back, and a threat to shoot from distance. Very dangerous target on set pieces. Still improving because he is young. Can lose focus; last week got lazy, didn’t mark Marsch in the box and was turned on the goal. Can be exposed athletically in 1-v-1 situations.

Rafael Gomes – 3 – Brazilian defensive midfielder was brought in to challenge for a starting spot in the middle or on the outside, but has been unable to break through. Solid passer and can break things up, but at this point is playing behind Mastro, DiRaimando, and LaBrocca.

Christian Gomez – 4 - Former all-star and league MVP with DC has struggled to fit in with Colorado. Was played out of position to start the season as a regressed forward. Struggled with the altitude in the 4-4-2. Now is employed at the top of the central triangle of the 3-5-2, and this is a perfect fit for him. Was bypassed last weekend, but will put more of an impact on matches as the season goes on. Nice, creative passer, wonderful on free kicks, and can provide spectacular finishes from distance. Has not been himself so far this season, but is still playing better than his replacement, Gallardo. Will be a great mentor for Ballouchy.

Herculez Gomez – 3 – After a promising season a few years back and strong start to his Colorado career, has regressed. Great speed, and has a nice shot. Does not finish easier chances well, and can be marked out of a game easily. Does not make the most intelligent runs as a forward, so can be marked out of a game pretty easily. Not sure if his best position is at forward or right midfield, but will probably see his way to the bench for McManus this week.

Jordan Harvey – 2 - Left back was pushing for a starting spot in the back four all through preseason, and took over for Burciaga a couple of games into the season. Has been pushed back to the bench after the move to the 3-5-2. Played in the reserves for a couple of seasons, and before that was a fixture on all of the US youth teams. I was never impressed with his play as an international; he looked a little slow and lacking athletically, but is viewed as the left back of the future for the Rapids.

Ugo Ihemelu – 3 - Central defender broke through a couple of years ago with LA, and then was traded to Colorado. Has suffered injury problems the past two seasons which has hampered development. Nice tackler, very athletic with great speed. Has the tools but loses focus during games, especially late in matches. Last weekend lazily fouled a Chivas player making a run through instead of moving his feet, and a couple of weeks back had a horrible handball penalty against Houston. Nice potential, but can be taken advantage of and not sure of his discipline as the centerpiece of a three-man backline.

Stephen Keel – 3 - Central defender was a stud with the reserve team the past couple of seasons and played well while filling in due to injury at the start of the year. Too slow to play in a back three, but strong in the air and reads the game well for a young player; very useful in a back four. Passes the ball well out of the back.

Kosuke Kimura – 3 - Right back excelled last season with the reserves, and was a starter at the end of the season for the first team. Has been the first-choice starter at right back this season. Decent speed, okay tackler. Can be beaten for pace and athletically. Very nice ball skill and very comfortable on the ball; not afraid to switch the field from the outside back spot, which is rare in MLS. Another young Rapids defender who is a solid starter now with great upside. Has improved significantly since a shaky opener against LA.

Nick LaBrocca – 3 – Has been very good so far this season as one of the first-choice defensive mids. Shows great composure on the ball and distributes the ball forward and out wide quite well. Has hit some nice, long through-balls, but does not panic and resort to hitting balls over the top. Cleans play up in the middle well. Has the potential to develop into a very strong player.

Pablo Mastroeni – 5 - When healthy, plays at an all-star level at defensive midfield. Great energy, very strong tackler. A little lacking going forward, and can be pressed into poor passes at the international level. First choice US defensive mid when healthy. Gritty and shows up in the right place at the right time. Good athleticism. Was unable to make it through the entire game last weekend, so fitness could be a concern. Will play for the US against Spain this week, but is expected to play against Dallas.

Tom McManus – 3 - Forward is a veteran of the SPL. Doesn’t have a lot of speed or athleticism. Smart off of the ball, and skilled with the ball at his feet. Hard worker, and a physical player not afraid to mix it up. Did not do much at all last week after coming on, but then hit a GOTY candidate. Will probably start this weekend.

Jacob Peterson – 3 - Right midfielder has been first choice after scoring a great goal against DC a few weeks back, but will probably move back to the bench after his invisible performance last weekend. Came up through the US youth system as a forward, but could not get a spot at the club level and seems to have found his position at right midfield. Not a lot of technical skill on the ball, but has a good strike and is a tireless worker.

Mike Petke – 3 - MLS veteran can play central defense or right back. Has lost a step and hasn’t been as effective as he was earlier in his career. Suffered a bad ankle injury and has not recovered enough to see the field this season. Might be able to play right back in a 3 back set, but not sure if the speed or athleticism are there to do so.

Tim Ward – 2 – Once promising career has been completely derailed after a move from New York and then Columbus. Has a nice cross and can play either side on defense. Clavijo wants his defenders to stay back, and Ward’s best asset is going forward, so may be hard for him to break through in Colorado.

I have not seen Graczyk, Grazier, Hughes, O’Brien, Sharpe or Zambrano play; they are all developmental players and should not factor in Sunday’s match.

EXPECTED COLORADO LINEUP

EXPECTED DALLAS LINEUP

KEY TO THE GAME

The biggest key is how Burpo plays for Coundoul. The back line of Colorado relies on Coundoul’s aggressiveness, and Burpo is not the same type of keeper. If they allow the same balls over the top or through than they have in the past, Oduro and Cooper will get there before Burpo does. The back line will have to adjust for the style of the backup keeper.

Categories: Match Preview, News.

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