Rapids Reserves Grow Up

Steve Pastorino talks to Rapids assistant coach John Murphy about how to work Major League Soccer's Reserve League as a gateway to the first team.

By Steve Pastorino

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (Apr 25, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- Colorado Rapids assistant coach John Murphy is certain Bouna Coundoul wouldn’t be backstopping his country’s National Team in the African Nations Cup this summer if it weren’t for the Major League Soccer Reserve League.  Rapids winger Colin Clark?  He might still be looking for a home as a professional soccer player.  Kosuke Kimura playing first division soccer?  In the J-League maybe, but not here.

Over the first month of the season, one of the engaging storylines has been the transformation of the Rapids Reserves (two-time defending champs) into Rapids Regulars. 

The Rapids Reserves are a heady16-3-5 record since 2006 in Reserve League play.  In a testament to its value developing young players, the senior Rapids are 2-2 in 2008 with seven – that’s SEVEN – former standout Reservists starting all every game for the big club this season.  Who are these young players who have filled the void created by injuries to veterans Pablo Mastroeni, Conor Casey, Mehdi Ballouchy and Mike Petke?

Coundoul is certainly the most prominent, starting 34 consecutive games in goal for the Rapids.  Clark’s flank runs and tireless two-way work were on display in 16 starts last season. 

However, only serious college soccer fans and Sunday morning early risers (when most Reserve games are played) know Kimura, John DiRaimondo, Stephen Keel, Omar Cummings and Nick LaBrocca.

The MLS Reserve League has its share of critics – particularly those who feel that it takes unfair advantage of developmental players making less than $20,000 a year.  Murphy, who coaches the Rapids Reserves from the bench each week, isn’t one of them.

“MLS needs to be commended,” Murphy said.  “I can tell you ten players who would be playing in MLS today if the reserve league had been in existence when they came out of college.”

Indeed, the Reserve League has been a godsend for the Rapids, who see the league as an opportunity to watch young players, check the fitness of rehabilitating veterans, or try players in a new position.  With the direction of head coach Fernando Clavijo, they were early adopters when the league started play in 2005.

“Our emphasis on the Reserve team reflects Fernando,” Murphy said. “We want to be the best, we want to win, and we want to succeed.  We’re not afraid to call up players to supplement our numbers.  When we see teams with (only) 12 or 13 players for a reserve team game, (we wonder) ‘what kind of message does that send?’”

Coundoul’s emergence best demonstrates the message that the Rapids want to convey.

“When we made the decision to bring in Bouna (in 2005), we knew he was raw, very raw.  Our plan was to have him train every day, learn to be a pro, and not even play in reserve games.”

When Joe Cannon and Byron Foss suffered injuries, the 26-year-old Senegalese keeper (via University of Albany) got his shot.  He made an immediate impression as a reserve team member, carrying that over when he got a chance with the senior side.

“The kid has it - presence in goal that you can’t teach,” says Murphy.  “He has amazing physical attributes. He’s cleaned up technically.  He’s very disciplined now.  In 2006, he got a bunch of games (both in Reserve and senior play) and we made the decision to trade Joe.  It paid big dividends.  Not only for Bouna, but we got Herculez (Gomez) and Ugo (Ihemelu), too.”

While the keeper was born and raised in Africa, the Rapids have also worked in two players without leaving the state, Keel and Clark.

“I think it speaks well to have local kids,” Murphy says, adding that players like Todd Dunivant, Brian Mullen and Casey are products of Colorado’s youth soccer scene. 

Keel, a 25-year-old from Littleton, played four years at Wake Forest University but went undrafted (unlike teammates like Scott Sealy, James Riley and Michael Parkhurst).  He contacted the Rapids and was signed after surviving an open tryout. The 6-foot defender was more of an attacking player in college, but has learned the patience and grit required of MLS backs while starring as the “MVP” of Rapids Reserves two years in a row.

“He’s become a leader,” Murphy said.

Clark, 24, originally from Ft. Collins, left Southern Methodist University after three years and seemed destined for a career of trials and USL contracts until a breakthrough year at the USL PDL side, the Boulder Rapids Reserves.

“We have a great connection with (Boulder owner) Peter Ambrose, and he kept telling us about this kid.  Then we played them and Fernando liked him.  He has tons of talent, he’s mobile and has a great attitude.”

Cummings (25), DiRaimondo (22) and LaBrocca (23) came to the Rapids Reserves through the traditional route.  Each was a highly touted senior in the 2007 draft.  Cummings, a top scorer from Jamaica via the University of Cincinnati, was the 31st overall pick.  LaBrocca was selected four picks later.  DiRaimondo,  a veteran of U.S. youth national teams, slipped to the supplemental draft.

While Cummings and LaBrocca saw some action with the first team in 2007, DiRaimondo didn’t step onto the field until last month.  He has taken full advantage of Mastroeni’s absence with four starts and his first goal.

The Rapids also drafted Kimura in 2007.  Despite having seen him just once at Western Illinois University, the Rapids picked the Kobe, Japan native to be a work in progress, just like Coundoul.  Now 23, he has developed into a versatile option at defender.

Counting this year’s two ties, the Rapids Reserves are unbeaten in 16 consecutive games – a feat at any level.  Find them on their home turf, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park’s Field #20 – and watch 2008 draftees Ciaran O’Brien and Cesar Zambrano.  They’re aiming for a third straight title, but more importantly, showcasing the players who could be leading the senior Rapids in the not too distant future. 

Steve Pastorino spent a decade in the front office of the Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake. Visit his blog at Not Just A Hat Rack.  Steve welcomes your feedback at   pastorinosoccer@comcast.net.