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Rapids week continued Monday when the Colorado Rapids
were guests at the Denver Nuggets game at Pepsi Center. Forward Omar Cummings delivered the game ball, and then the players were introduced on the court, escorted by the Nuggets Dancers. Representing the Rapids were 'keeper Chris Sharpe, Quincy Amarikwa, Andre Akpan, Omar, Tony Cascio, and Academy players Dillon Serna and Shane O'Neill.
A highlight and memorable moment was when Rocky - the Nuggets famed mascot - walked out in a Rapids burgundy home jersey and got the players involved in tossing Rapids t-shirts and mini soccer balls into the stands. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
Many know that Colorado Rapids President Tim Hinchey has an extensive background in professional sports. Before he joined the Rapids, he was most recently Vice President of Commercial for English club, Derby County. If you follow Tim's tweets, you know he's still a passionate supporter of the Rams.
Tim was interviewed by sports business website iSportconnect to discuss the business side of the sport - and even comparing MLS / Colorado to Derby / the Championship. CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW
Marvell Wynne is in the prime of his soccer career. If not for soccer, he might be competing at track, given his speed. Or possibly playing baseball, since his dad was a Major League Baseball player. Or how about even a referee for the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls?
Marv blew the opening whistle Saturday at the Filmore Auditorium in the match between the RMRG United States Pummeling Service and Pikes Peak Derby Dames' Slamazons.
"I had a great time at the Roller Derby bout," Marv told ColoradoRapids.com. "The girls are great and the crowd was into it and fun. I was nervous to blow the whistle to start everything but I pulled it off. Blowing a whistle is harder than it looks. Props to the refs....in roller derby!"
At first glance I thought maybe Stew Ceus had injured his hand when I saw him take a goal kick while holding a large burgundy wrap at practice. And then it was obvious that he was having a hard time trying to get his warmup top off over his 'keeper gloves. Our equipment manager was quick to the spot. After a second trying to softly remove it, he and Stew pulled in opposite directions until it came off.
Last night Colombia defeated Mexico 2-0 in a friendly played in Miami. Today I asked Rapids and former Colombian National Team midfielder Jaime Castrillon if he aims to get back on his country's squad. He says his only concentration right now is to do well with the Rapids, and then who knows if that will help him get back in the mix for his country.
Jaime has scored five goals with the Colombia national team, and you might be surprised to learn what two of those goals have in common with the Rapids.
Goal #1: July 17, 2005. The opener for Colombia in a 2-1 win over Mexico in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals in Houston's Reliant Stadium, thus eliminating Mexico from the tournament.
Goal #2: December 28, 2005. The lone goal in Colombia's 1-2 loss to Comunidad Valenciana in a friendly played in Spain.
Goal #3: July 2, 2007. Against Argentina in a 4-2 loss in group play of the 2007 Copa America played in Venezuela. His goal made the scored 3-2.
Goal #4: July 5, 2007: Against the United States in a 1-0 win in group play of the same tournament. He beat now teammate Drew Moor (right) to the ball before heading it in the goal. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GOAL:
Goal #5: August 22, 2007: The game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Mexico in a friendly played at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (watch below):
On any given day, one can walk by the break room here in the front office and be happily surprised to see free treats sitting there waiting to be snapped up. I've seen sandwiches, bagels, burritos, chips, cookies, etc. Different departments take turns, and even individuals are known to bring goodies to share.
But there's one day each month where we've come to anticipate - even get excited for - the sweet treats.
The KSE Spirit Committee - among other roles - sends out a company wide email on the first of every month wishing Happy Birthday to all employees who were born in that particular month. They also send celebratory birthday treats to each facility later in the afternoon. We never know what it will be - but you often see staff casually passing by the break room to see if the treats have been delivered.
In the theme of St. Patrick's Day, today's March birthday treats were green frosted cupcakes and cookies.
Happy March Birthday, KSE staff!!
If you've ever been out here at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park complex during this time of year, you've likely noticed the 'coyotes' that are sitting all over the fields. They are actually wooden cut outs places throughout to look like coyotes in an effort scare away the prairie dogs that like to dig their holes everywhere.
The reason the park uses coyotes? Because they, too, like to roam around the complex - like this guy (below) that was running through the parking lot this morning.
Rapids forward Omar Cummings today helped the Jamaican national team defeat host New Zealand 3-2 out in Auckland, New Zealand.
From the video highlights we see that Omar assisted on Tramaine Jones' goal in the 53rd minute with a nicely weighted through ball which Stewart hammered home.
According to the Jamaican Observer, Omar played 65 minutes before he was replaced by Navion Boyd, who would go on to scored Jamaica's third goal.
And here's odd note to Stewart. He was on the same flight with Omar that left LA for New Zealand last Saturday. Once they landed, apparently Tramaine forgot he had brought an apple with him, and was consecuently fined for not declaring the 'risk goods' upon landing. The Jamaican Observer has this story, stating the Jamaican National Team lawyer said an appeal 'would be fruitless.' No mention if the pun was intended: HERE'S THE STORY.
Before the team departed for Hawaii, Oscar Pareja had invited fellow Colombian midfielder Andres Sarmiento as to train with the group. El Michi, as he's known in Colombia, has now returned to his former club in South America, with a positive experience of his week in Colorado and towards Pareja and assistant coach Wilmer Cabrera.
"Training with that club was a great pleasure for me in my career," he told Vanguardia.com. "(Pareja and Cabrera) were kind with me and made me feel like a compatriot. My relation with them is very good."
Sarmiento has already begun training with Atlético Bucaramanga. FULL STORY (SPANISH)
We want to give a shoutout to the Colorado Rapids front office staff for taking the Fight for Air Climb on Sunday. The group was part of the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment team that climbed the 56 stairs - 1096 steps - of the Republic Plaza building in downtown Denver in a fundraiser to help fight lung disease and promote lung health. The KSE team finished 3rd overall as the individuals collectively raised over $5000 for the American Lung Association of Colorado.
The staff that participated were: Caleb Alexander, Jordan Allerding, Wayne Brant, Gretchen Claypool, Christa Dellebovi, Sara Frazier, Ossie Hamrick, Chris Hoffner, Emily Kilcoyne, Lindsey Nielson, Chelsea Hedrick, Kristen Sonsma, and Traci Swanson.