Wide Left:
Odds n Loose Ends from behind the Rapids Bench
Wide Left:
Odds n Loose Ends from behind the Rapids Bench
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Denver, CO, April 27, 2004 (BFN) — Welcome to the inaugural edition of Wide Left. If you care about the color of the Rapids underwear, you’re our kind of fan.
CANNON
No, not Joe shooting his mouth off, but the actual cannon noisemaker stuck in the South stands that signalled gametime and scores galores by the boys of Black & Blue at Invesco Field.Whence has it gone? Official word from the Rapids is that the cannon was something used here in the American game, but not seen internationally. Thus, they dumped it. What’s next on tap for the axe? One might presume that they’ll be dumping American beer.
OFFICIATING
It’s a thankless job, but a job nonetheless. Owing to instant replay (a lá Tivo digital video recorder), they’re job has gotten tougher. It appeared that San Jose’s defensive line certainly made the referee assistant’s job difficult. Based on the flag coming up so often, it apparently made it impossible. Replay shows that Beckerman was onside during his scoring run, and Peguero also had a call go the wrong way.Cyber Soccer News talked with Head Coach Hankinson about the situation. “Last year, a lot of games calls went for or against us,” Hankinson said, “and determined the outcome of the game when they shouldn’t. This year, no calls have changed the result of a game.” Coach further said that after each game the team fills out a referee’s report, which is forwarded to the MLS and US Soccer referee groups in the hopes of the officials getting better. As for players, he said that when the Rapids know a particular official calls the game tight, he “works with the players to square up on runs or start more withdrawn before starting a run.”
US NATS
Pablo and Ritchie were called in to decimate the Rapids backline before their away game in Kansas City because, it is rumored, Arena’s got “20 on the BBQ boys.”Actually, it turns out there is some dialogue between MLS and US Soccer in these situations, but ultimately when the Bruce Almighty says ya gots to go, then ya gots to go. Pablo was heard sobbing, “Why me? If only I could guarantee I’ll be 100% for my MLS side...” Hopefully Wednesday night just toughens him up as he’s got heavy responsibility to shore up an injury-prone Rapids. Coach Hankinson expects Pablo to play, and probably start this Wednesday, April 28th, 6:30pm (MDT) against Mexico in a “friendly.” Man, I don’t want friends like these. I already heard about Mexican fan activities earlier this year, and they aren’t even playing... Besides, if I was beat by a bunch of shabby Americans in the Round of 16 in front of, ohhh, 1 BILLION people, I’d be looking for “Revancha en la Cancha” too. “I expect Pablo to start tomorrow night," Hankinson said. "He is especially good against Mexico, reading their forwards well.” He pointed to Pablo’s past excellent performance against Mexico and expected similar work in Dallas, saying he would play a key role against Mexico's front line.
ERRATA
I don’t know what that means, but it sounds Latin.Gary Sullivan appeared sans headband in the 89th minute against San Jose. He earlier told Cyber Soccer News that it was not injury-related, but simply some FIFA-approved headgear he was trying out for the home crowd against LA. For what it’s worth (apparently not much) he said he noticed no improvement or degradation in heading performance. Hendo chose to accentuate the positive and said he enjoyed his “bird’s eye view” of the L.A. game. “It helps just watching the game last week (against LA),” Henderson added. “I was able to see it from up top, see how our team interacted, and where I could help more and fit in better." It worked. |
Let me know and I'll try to hose it down for ya..
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