It’s the dawn of a new season, and the Rapids will be kicking it off Saturday against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center.

What’s new for the Rapids in 2009?

Gary Smith has begun the year as the team’s head coach, having gone through a draft and a preseason in charge after finishing the 2008 campaign as Fernando Clavijo’s interim replacement. 

And with the “interim” tag removed, Smith has made an imprint of his own. Gone are goalkeepers Bouna Coundoul and Preston Burpo. Defenders Facundo Erpen, Stephen Keel, Mike Petke and Jose Burciaga, the U.S. Soccer Foundation- MLS W.O.R.K.S Humanitarian of the Year. Midfielder Christian Gomez. Striker Tom McManus. 

Also gone is the loose leash that Clavijo afforded his players on the field. Smith talked Thursday about the 2009 Rapids, the 2008 Rapids and the state of the game in the U.S. as a new season opens.

Do you have any injuries right now?

Touch wood, not at the moment. We’re healthy. We’re fit, and we’re relaxed. It’s always nice to go when that is certain.

 What is the difference between a Rapids team coached by Gary Smith and a Rapids team coached by Fernando Clavijo?

 (laughs and pauses) This team goes out with the understanding of what it is we’re trying to achieve. They’re aware of their job description. Be it success or failure, we’ll stick to that. 

 Fernando was much more relaxed than I am. He gave the team more flexibility, and that can be a positive or a negative. 

 And who knows which way is right? The only way we’re going to be proved right is through having success.

 How do you measure that success?

 Winning games.

 Bouna. Erpen. McManus. Keel. Petke. Gomez. For  many fans, it’s disappointing to see many of their favorite players leave town. Does that translate into lower ticket sales, less revenue for the Rapids? And is that something that you, as coach, think about?

 What I believe is that a team should have favorites, the fans should have favorites. But that should come with the success of the squad. 

 Any time you have a significant change in the coaching structure, it’s presumed that they’ll want to have their own style.

 But with success, new stars and new favorite players on a team will emerge. I look at Omar Cummings. Certainly the opportunity has opened up for him to have a first-team slot. And look at the midfield. With Christian (Gomez) moved on, there is new opportunity there as well.

 We’ve just re-signed six or seven of our players, Pablo and six of our younger core of players. Those, I think, are our stars of the future.

 Where does the goalkeeping stand right now?

 I think fans can expect not a dissimilar performance-to-success ratio from our goalkeepers now. Bouna and Preston and Pickens are all very talented, but I think Matt Pickens is younger and has a bigger upside than Bouna or Preston Burpo.

 (Pickens’) downside is that he was out of the game for a year. It might take him two, three, four games to find he feet. But I have no doubt about his continued success at this level.

 And with (rookie) Steward (Ceus), well, he’s looked great. He’s been a real surprise for us.

 Who will be the third striker on this team?

 You mean for Saturday? Or the whole season? I think we’re looking for a third and a fourth. I think we’re still open to the idea of adding bodies to this group. We’ve got the room, and we’ve got the money. I need to be a bit more convincing on the phone.

 How good is this team?

 This team is extraordinarily capable. I don’t like to predict things this early, but we’re in a good enough position to start. We’ve got good health right now. I will say that I hope to be involved in a major shakeup at the end of the season. I believe we’re equipped to challenge for the playoffs, or in the playoffs. 

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