COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – With Thursday’s transfer deadline quickly approaching, the Colorado Rapids could figure to make a splash in order to keep their current push to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race alive.
“It’s not a secret as to where we sit in the standings, so we’re looking at everything,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo told MLSsoccer.com.
Everything including the potential transfer of Homegrown product Shane O’Neill. During the first half of the Rapids’ 3-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on Saturday, a report out of O’Neill’s hometown of Boulder, Colo. surfaced claiming the US Under-23 international would transfer to Cypriot club Apollon Limassol. It was also speculated that Cyprus wouldn’t be the final destination for O’Neill, who has trained with English clubs Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday in the past.
Those rumors were shot down by Bravo on Tuesday.
“He’s still a member of our club,” he said of O’Neill. “It’s all speculation at this point.”
The 21-year-old played in the first half of last week’s Chipotle Homegrown Game, but has only featured in four games (three starts) for Colorado this season.
“We’ve chosen to give Shane some down time to recharge his battery,” Bravo said. “Over the last 18 months, he’s had a lot of soccer. Despite the fact that he’s not played with us on a regular basis, he’s still played as many games, if not more with international call-ups, with Open Cup, with league and he had an early start to preseason. With a young man like that, we have to continue to monitor his progress both mentally and physically.”
Adding to the intrigue at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park has been the appearance of a new face at the Rapids training grounds. Former West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender Roger Johnson has trained with Colorado over the past week at the recommendation of former Wolves teammate Kevin Doyle.
“’Trial’ is an interesting word. More than anything else, he’s a guy that wanted to come over. Obviously, with our backline, I wouldn’t categorize it as a trial. It’s more of seeing what Roger is about,” Bravo explained. “If there are any opportunities to strengthen the squad in a position that is strong already, then we’ll look to do it.”
Center back remains perhaps the Rapids’ deepest position, but the 32-year-old has made more than 450 appearances in both the English Premier League and Championship in 15 seasons.
“You don’t get [Premier League experience] too often, especially in players that just want to train and get a feeling for what our league is about,” Bravo added. “He’s a vocal guy so he brings a bit of leadership as well. Any opportunity for a player like that to train with our club, see our club and take that message back is important for us.”
Johnson is the second international free agent to join Colorado in training since Jamaican Luton Shelton visited the team back in April. For Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni, it’s been as much of a feeling out process for the team as it has been for the player.
“I think as a coach, you’re taking in everything. How he gets along with the guys in the locker room and you’re looking for a guy who can communicate well, passes well and reads the game well,” Mastroeni said. “Roger will be with us we’ll have an opportunity to look at him further.”
Added Bravo: “Anything we can do to improve this club, we’re looking for.”
