Chris Sharpe: Kewell would love MLS

Two defeats on the bounce shows just how competitive the Western Conference is this season.

Losses against LA Galaxy and Toronto FC has seen us tumble to second from bottom and I must admit we really need a positive result against Houston this weekend to get ourselves back on track.

The LA game was a little tough to swallow from the players' point of view.

In the first 45 minutes we did not play well at all and probably deserved to be 2-0 down at half time. We started off slowly in the second-half and were punished again - it came to a point where we were lucky not to be down by a few more.

However, the positive side was that we never gave up for the full 90 minutes. Colin Clark pinched one on 70-odd minutes, Herc Gomez grabbed another about 10 minutes later and at this point we were all over them. In the end, we believed we were very unlucky not to grab a point from the game, which was the really disappointing part as we certainly had the chances.

Of course, I actually had trials at LA before the start of the season and while we lost, it was good to catch up with the lads.

I was able to have a good chat with David Beckham after the game. He just asked how life was treating me at the moment, and how I was liking Colorado. I hadn't seen him since March, so it was nice to get the chance to congratulate him on his 100th cap for his country and being a regular figure back in the England side - which he should be every time they play! It was just good to have a quick catch up.

He is a class guy and always has time for the little things.

The Toronto game was tough as both yours truly and Mehdi Ballouchy could not travel to Canada because of green card problems! I guess that's something unique to the MLS!

Toronto is a very decent side. The have a great setup in Canada. They have some very strong players in Laurent Robert, who has come from Newcastle United in the English Premier League, has a great left foot, dangerous from set pieces and great delivery. Daniele Dichio is a big strong typical English striker, then you also have Rohan Ricketts, once of Arsenal and Spurs, plus the former Birmingham City defender Olivier Tebily.

The other strength they have is their crowd. Toronto sell out every week and the fans support them from beginning to end.

Beyond the MLS, Rapids will welcome Everton later in the season for a friendly. Obviously, it will be a great moment at Dicks for everyone involved at the club. It will be very exciting for the fans, especially having big Tim Howard in goal for Everton. I am personally looking forward to it - and hoping that Timmy Cahill will be able to make the trip out to the US.

Speaking of Aussies, I saw on tribalfootball.com that Harry Kewell was being linked with a move to New York. My advice would be: 'When you play the Rapids, be kind to the Aussie goalkeeper!!!'

No, really I would love it if he came this way. To be honest I can't see Harry making that move just yet in his career, but I am sure in good time it would be a wonderful change for him and I encourage any Australian player to take a serious look at the MLS as a good career move and a league they will get much satisfaction from.

Going in the opposite direction earlier this month was Jozy Altidore, who left New York for Spain's Villarreal.

It's a big contract for him, in terms of both money and length of agreement. To be honest it had been expected, he is young, big, strong and has been the form striker in the MLS for some time.

There has always been some speculation surrounding him going somewhere abroad, so it didn't make it much of a surprise to the players. But I am sure everyone wishes him the best of luck and I am sure if he keeps progressing he will do very well in Spain.

Personally, right now I feel I have been doing very well day in and day out. I am just at that point where I need to be working hard and putting myself in the gaffer's mind for the weekend. I'm playing well for the reserves and making life as difficult as possible for the coaches.

I am still a little stunned about the decision to bring another goalkeeper (Preston Burpo) in as I felt I had done well and deserved my chance, but that's for them to decide. My time is just around the corner.

This week we've had a new addition to the household. Tam McManus' mate, Kenny Miller, fresh from signing for Rangers, has been spending the week at my place. He's a great laugh and taken the spare bedroom while he has a break from a tough season at Derby. Hopefully, Kenny's presence can get us over the line against Houston this weekend.