The on-again-off-again trade of Colorado Rapids defender Cory Gibbs and goalkeeper Preston Burpo, above, to the New England Revolution is a done deal. The Rapids acquire midfielders Jeff Larentowicz and Wells Thompson. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Former Rapids striker and current Houston Dynamo assistant coach John Spencer reportedly is a candidate for the Portland Timbers’ head coaching position. Portland will start play in Major League Soccer in 2011.
(photo by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

In the past, the Colorado Rapids asked the media to participate in voting for their annual postseason awards, but there were more categories. This year, I voted in three categories: MVP, defender of the year and young player of the year. In the latter category, I chose Jacob Peterson, above. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Jordan Harvey, Scott Palguta and Preston Burpo (above, from left) are among the Rapids players available to be selected by the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in the Major League Soccer expansion draft. Other Rapids left unprotected included Mehdi Ballouchy and Jacob Peterson. (photos, from left, by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com, Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com, Prost Amerika Soccer, Seattle)

Real Salt Lake retained possession of the Rocky Mountain Cup with a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Robbie Findley scored two first-half goals, Yura Movsisyan again stuck the dagger in Colorado’s side late in the match, and the Rapids had no punch. Inside, we break down the game using a few keen comments from the Fox Soccer Channel crew. …

After Saturday’s loss 2-1 road loss to FC Dallas, the Rapids have put all of their playoff hopes into one match … against Real Salt Lake on Saturday in Utah.

Jeff Nelson battles Colorado Rapids defender Rob Valentino for a ball during a scrimmage this season. Nelson, a forward for the Colorado School of Mines, was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the week. Read all about that and much more in this package of Colorado soccer notes. (photo by George Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Conor Casey scored on a penalty, his third in the past four matches, as the Colorado Rapids tied the New England Revolution 1-1 on Saturday night in Commerce City. Emmanuel Osei’s foul on Omar Cummings in the penalty area set up Colorado’s tying score. Above, New England goalkeeper Matt Reis keeps an eye on Rapids midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Random notes from the Colorado Rapids’ third draw in nine days …

For the second time in less than a week, Conor Casey scored on a penalty kick in extra time as the Colorado Rapids tied the Earthquakes 1-1. Casey scored his 15th goal of the season about a minute before the end of Wednesday’s match. Jason Hernandez tripped Omar Cummings in the box in extra time, and referee Ricardo Salazar had little choice but to blow the whistle.
(photo by Tom Auclair/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)