I’ll still be chiming in from time to time. C’mon, the World Cup is coming up! And who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to secure a day off when the Rapids head to Houston or Dallas. … But as far as being able to comment on the day-to-day goings-on in the soccer world of the Centennial State, it’ll be difficult to do so from more than 1,000 miles away.

I’m handing control of the site over to Metropolitan State College of Denver and the capable hands of Shaun Schafer, whose byline you’ve no doubt already noticed. Shaun is a Metropolitan State College professor and a Rapids season ticket holder who often commented on my work since we started the site a year ago. Yes, it was slightly more than a year ago when the Rocky Mountain News folded and I made the transition from FC Rocky to ColoradoSoccerNow.com. It’s extremely difficult to give up this venture; I learned much from 12 months as the editor, and I hope I was able to pass along some of that knowledge to my students at Metro State (another part-time position of mine that it’s hard to leave).

Donating the site to Metro accomplishes two goals for me.

First, the site lives on. Had I just turned off the lights and tacked a note on the door as it closed behind me, I would’ve been disappointed. I worked very hard to create a Web site from scratch, and I was proud of the site each and every day. You can tell I’ve been uber-busy the past month or so because the number of posts dropped dramatically. Even when I was busy working two other jobs, posting to the Web site was a pleasure. So to those of you who have enjoyed reading, give Shaun a chance. There’s more to come, and the content will head off in crazy new ways that I am incapable of predicting. That makes me happy.

Secondly: Although the site does have a loyal following, the real losers would’ve been a small group of local journalism students. I had three interns in the past year, and more are lined up for summer and fall. And if Shaun can swing it, many journalism students at Metro will have the opportunity to learn from their experience covering soccer for ColoradoSoccerNow.com. That also makes me happy.

Shaun will be the gatekeeper of the Web site, and he’s already got a talented crew preparing to go to work. The first new name you’ll notice should be that of photographer Jessica Taves. She’s got her cameras and lenses ready, and I’m very excited to see the work she produces.

So I’d like to thank everyone who had a hand in the creation and success of ColoradoSoccerNow.com (there are so many of you that I’m positive I would overlook someone if I were to try to list you all). And good luck to all future crews of this online soccer magazine. Journalism is alive and evolving on the Internet, and this little corner of the Web serves a precise focus and audience. Those are its greatest strengths.

The Rapids will add Joyce to the club’s senior roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. He is expected to join the team this week during the club’s preseason training in London, England.

The Rapids also announced several other roster moves, as the club released forward Facundo Diz and did not offer a contract to 2010 third round MLS SuperDraft pick defender Chad Borak.

Joyce, 24, a Seton Hall University product, has played his entire professional career in England. He joined Grays Athletic FC in 2007, then moved to Watford and most recently spent time with Southend United. Joyce spent a brief trial stint with Colorado this preseason in February before signing with the club.

Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush made the announcement in a press conference held at Casey’s alma mater of Denver South High School.

“Today is a banner day for the Rapids organization and we could not be more pleased with knowing that Conor will continue to represent our club with his professionalism and talents in his hometown,” said Plush. “With all his recent successes on the pitch, Conor faced many opportunities to return to playing overseas and for him to make the commitment to the Rapids speaks volumes of the direction our club is headed.”

“I’m really excited that the Rapids are committed to me and that my future is with this club,” said Casey. “I am looking forward to the coming years, as we continue to build something special. Having played in my hometown the last several seasons and now knowing I’m going to be staying here playing for my home club is a great feeling.”

Casey was born in Dover, N.H., but moved with his family to Denver at age 5. Following a standout collegiate career at the University of Portland, he began his professional career in Germany playing with Borussia Dortmund, Karlsruher SC and FSV Mainz over the next six years.

Casey returned to North America in 2007 signing with Toronto FC, where he appeared in two matches before being acquired by the Rapids on April 19, 2007.

The 28-year old target forward is coming off a career year in 2009 posting a new Rapids single season scoring record with 16 goals to finish second in the league’s Golden Boot race only one goal behind FC Dallas’ Jeff Cunningham. Casey was named to the MLS Best XI squad for the first time in his career and also garnered MLS All-Star honors.

The three-year MLS veteran has appeared in 62 career games, with 51 starts, and scored 29 goals and added six assists. Casey currently ranks fourth all-time in scoring for the Rapids with 29 goals in just 60 games and is the club’s all-time leader in hat tricks with three. Casey’s scoring rate of .483 is first among all the Top 10 goal scorers in Rapids history.

Casey has 20 career caps with the U.S. national team and has scored two career international goals and registered one assist. His two goals in the U.S.’s World Cup qualifying win against Honduras on October 10, 2009 clinched a berth into the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa for the Americans. Casey is the only player in U.S. soccer history to score two goals in a road qualifier in Central America.

BOULDER –University of Colorado soccer coach Bill Hempen announced the signing of four prospective student-athletes to national letters of intent to continue their education and play soccer for the Buffaloes. Additionally, Hempen announced one freshman who graduated high school early and one transfer student-athlete who are both enrolled this spring.

All Colorado natives, Alex Dohm (Colorado Springs), Lizzie Herzl (Littleton), Hayley Hughes (Highlands Ranch) and Anne Stuller (Boulder) will all join the team next fall while Annie Brunner (Arvada) graduated high school early and Amy Steiner (Littleton) and is already enrolled at CU and transferred from Arizona.

“This class obviously has a big Colorado look and we are proud that all these kids are ours,” Hempen said. “We have the Storm Soccer Club, headed by coach Scott Dedyker, the REAL Soccer Club and coach Lorne Donaldson and the Pride Soccer Club from Colorado Springs headed by coach Sian Hudson all represented. There are all wonderful club programs, and better yet, they develop quality kids and players.

“We have lost back-to-back senior classes that have had an incredible impact on our program, but looking forward, we think these kids understand that they are more than capable of making their own impact on Colorado Soccer.”

Player Position Height Hometown (High School/Club Team/Former College)
Annie Brunner GK 5-9 Arvada, Colo. (Arvada West High School/Storm)
Alex Dohm D/F 5-7 Colorado Springs, Colo. (Liberty High School/Pride)
Lizzie Herzl D 6-0 Littleton, Colo. (Heritage High School/Storm)
Hayley Hughes F/M/D 5-4 Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Mountain Vista/REAL Colorado)
Amy Steiner D 5-3 Littleton, Colo. (Mullen/Colorado Rush Nike/Arizona)
Anne Stuller F 5-7 Boulder, Colo. (Fairview High School/Storm)

Here is a capsule summary of each player’s credentials to date: 

Lauren DiGregorio – DiGregorio was a first-team all-state and NSCAA High School Regional All-American in 2010 while playing at Burnsville Senior High School. She was a Wendy’s Heisman nomination in 2009 when she was named MVP of the Metro League and was a first-team all-Metro selection. DiGregorio played for the Woodbury Inferno Club team and participated in the Minnesota Olympic Development Program in 2006-07.

“Lauren is explosive and gritty and will make opposing defenders work hard to keep her contained,” Bennett said. “She always plays with great determination and we look forward to her speed and explosiveness up top next fall.”

Lynn Froetscher – Froetscher, who played for the Eclipse Club team, was a member of the Illinois Olympic Development Program and Region II ODP pool from 2004 through 2006. She helped lead her team to the United States Youth Soccer national championship in 2009 and a spot in the finals in 2008.

“Lynn is a goal scorer, plain and simple,” said Bennett said. “She has a knack for scoring in big games and at big times. Lynn is fast, strong and will make us better going forward.”

Sierra Keeler – Keeler, who concluded her career as Seattle Academy’s career and single-season leader in goals and points, was a two-time Emerald City League MVP and the 2009 Player of the Year. She was a two-time first-team all-league selection and earned all-star accolades all four years as a prep. A member of the Crossfire Premier Soccer Club, she was ranked as one of the top players in the state by ESPN Rise.

“Sierra will really blossom at the college level,” Bennett said. “We expect that she will come in and make an impact with her athleticism and speed. Sierra can score goals in bunches and gives us another great forward in this class.”

Kody Kornack – Kornack, who played for Eagles Soccer Club, was named to the Los Angeles Daily News Players to Watch list. She helped lead El Camino Real High School to three consecutive West Valley League championships, as well as the 2008 and ’08 Los Angeles City CIF titles.

“Kody has the chance to come in and compete at the goal keeping spot,” Bennett said. “She’s quick and has good hands. If Kody continues to develop her distribution, she can have an impact at this level.”

Madison Whitehead – Whitehead was consistently recognized as one of the top players in the state of Texas, earning a spot on the North Texas State and Region III teams eight consecutive years. She garnered first-team all-district honors at the 6-5A level in 2007, second-team all-region honors in 2008 and was named the region’s top midfielder in 2009 during her prep career at Marcus High School. Whitehead was a member of the United States U15 National Team in 2007 and her club claimed the USYSA national championship in 2008.

“Madison has a chance to be the best final passer of the ball that we have had at CC,” Bennett said. “She has great vision, great touch on the ball, and can make players around her better. Madison can be a great attacking midfielder at the DI level.”

Colorado College’s 2010 schedule includes home dates against 2009 NCAA participants Dayton, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Memphis and Central Florida. Other home contests include games against the University of Northern Colorado, UAB, Southern Miss and UTEP.

Kennedy writes that “one or two of the four forwards in Tampa could go to South Africa,” and that Brian Ching would be first in line. But he gives Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey, who scored two goals in the victory that clinched the Americans’ trip to South Africa, a 45 percent chance of being part of the team.

The El Salvador match is being telecast on ESPN Classic and Galavision at 5 p.m. Mountain time.

The even starts at 9 a.m. at the DU soccer stadium.

The Pioneers are asking for donations of at least 25 cents per goal. Half of the funds raised will be donated to the Denver chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The mothers of two of the Pioneers are currently fighting breast cancer, and assistant coach Adam Buseck said this effort really hits home for the players. Buseck, whose mother is a cancer survivor, said DU also will have special pink T-shirts for sale for $15.

To donate, send a check, payable to the University of Denver, to Bobby Muuss, Head Coach Men’s Soccer, University of Denver, 2201 E. Asbury Ave., Denver, CO 80208.

Tickets will be available at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park box office, by calling 303-53-HORSE, at the kiosks at any Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods location or online at TicketHorse.com.

Single-game tickets start at $20.

Information on all ticket prices and single-game promotions can be found on the team’s official Web site.

RAPIDS PRESEASON ITINERARY: The Rapids have announced their full itinerary for preseason training, which includes trips to Phoenix and London. After four weeks of training at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the team will get its first taste of training outside of Colorado when it travels to the Casa Grande Performance Institute, just south of Phoenix, from February 21-27. The club’s Arizona excursion will be highlighted by several exhibition matches against other Major League Soccer clubs. Details of those matches will be announced at a later date. The Rapids will then conduct one week of practice sessions at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park upon returning from Arizona before heading back on the road for another eight days. For the third time in four years, the Rapids’ preseason plans will include a trip to London. The team will be hosted by Arsenal. The partnership between the Rapids and the Premiership club was formed in 2007 and allows the Rapids to practice at Arsenal’s facilities. The team’s England trip will be from March 7-14 and will also include several matches against English opponents, who will be announced at a later time. The trip to England will be followed by four days of training back at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, after which the team will host fellow Western Conference side Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer’s first-ever Charity Shield match on March 19. Proceeds from this match will be donated to UNICEF to aid relief efforts in Haiti.

RUGBY AT DICK’S: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will serve as the home venue for the Denver Barbarians rugby club during the team’s spring 2010 USA Rugby Super League matches, the stadium announced today. The Barbarians will host league champion San Francisco Golden Gate on March 14, the Dallas Harlequins on March 27 and the Chicago Lions on April 17.

MLS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EXTENDED: Major League Soccer and the Major League Soccer Players Union have agreed to continue to negotiate through February 25, as they work toward reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.

CHANGING THE LAYOUT: The Rapids have announced their plans for the creation of the new Supporters Terrace behind the north goal at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Using the stadium’s unique design, this new Supporters Terrace will become an adult-oriented area designed to allow for the exuberance of the Rapids’ most passionate fans. This move to create a new section of the stadium specifically to appeal to the Rapids’ adult demographic was conceived in conjunction with the Rapids’ existing supporters club leaders and will allow for their voices and energy to be felt in a whole new manner. Historically in soccer, the term terrace has referred to the traditional standing area behind the goals of a stadium, particularly in the United Kingdom, that offered a cheaper alternative to sitting in the stands and a more popular spectator area for members of the working classes. The Rapids’ Supporters Terrace will be the first true terrace area of its kind in Major League Soccer and will aim to expand upon the experience found in terraces overseas. Flags, banners, instruments, singing and other passionate support of the team at home games will all be encouraged, making the Supporters Terrance the place to be for Colorado’s most enthusiastic soccer fans.

Rapids striker Conor Casey is training with the U.S. men’s national team in preparation for friendlies against El Salvador on Feb. 24 in Tampa, Florida, and against the Netherlands on March 3 in Amsterdam. These are the team’s last matches before it names its roster for the World Cup. Good luck, Conor (and good luck to all the players). The El Salvador match will be broadcast at 5 p.m. (Mountain time) on ESPN Classic and Telefutura. The Netherlands match will be on ESPN2 and Galavision at 12:30 p.m. (Mountain time). Casey has 19 career caps with the national team and scored his first two international goals in the U.S.’s 2010 World Cup qualifying win against Honduras on October 10. He also has one assist in international play. He also played 30 minutes in a 3-1 loss against Honduras on January 23, the United States’ first match of 2010.

U.S. TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Orozco (Philadelphia Union), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS: Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

Earls and Murillo will be added to the roster pending receipt of their international transfers.

Earls comes to Colorado after two seasons with the USL-1 Rochester Rhinos. The 20-year old from Dublin, Ireland, gained significant experience while playing with the Aston Villa’s reserve squad from 2005 to 2008. Earls has competed with Ireland’s U15, U16, U18 and U19 national teams.

Murillo joins the Rapids following two seasons with Deportes Quindio of Colombia’s top professional league, where he scored two goals and registered eight assists in 42 games. The 21-year old has played professionally with Argentina’s famed Boca Juniors, Centauros Villavicencio in the Colombian Second Division, and Club Atlético Lanús of the Argentine Primera Division. On the international side, he has also been a member of Colombia’s U15 through U20 national teams.

Harden was acquired by the Rapids in January 2009 in a trade with the LA Galaxy in exchange for Colorado’s 2009 third-round draft pick.

This is the second trade Colorado and Toronto have completed in the past four weeks. On January 21, the Rapids acquired allocation money from Toronto in exchange for midfielder Jacob Peterson.

The Reds already have at least three Harden stories and a video on their Web site.

Daniel Girard of The Toronto Star reports that Toronto’s new head coach, Preki Radosavljevic, may have acquired Harden because of what he saw when he  was coaching Chivas USA and Harden was playing with the Galaxy.

Harden, a second-round pick of the Galaxy in the 2007 draft, started 24 games for Los Angeles and was named the team’s defender of the year. But on the first day of training camp in 2008, Harden announced to Galaxy officials he was leaving the game of soccer. He went back to the University of Washington to complete his degree and then ended up teaching at a children’s center in Kenya.