Chris Sharpe: Tough losing Colorado Rapids teammates in trades

After the way we dominated, it was tough accepting Saturday's defeat to Chivas USA.

From a goalkeeper's point of view, you could see why Brad Guzan is so highly rated around the world. We peppered their goal, but Guzan was equal to everything until Tommy's (McManus) late one in the final ten minutes. In the post-match review, it was tough reading seeing Chivas only hit our target three times and score twice.

That was Chivas' first win on the road and I read Pablo (Mastroeni) in the paper before the game talking about getting nine points from the matches against Real Salt Lake - which we won, Chivas and this week against Dallas. So it was a setback.

All the lads are gutted for the Rapids fans.

The fans support, no matter who we play, is always of great importance to us. We have a great group of supporters and they are always behind their Rapids 100 per cent - no matter what the results. I have noticed here in Colorado we have alot of families following the team, which I think is great for the game.

We have a great Rapids Corner at the west end of the ground who are always singing and chanting, which is a big lift for the XI lads on the field. Despite Saturday's reverse, I still believe we can given them something to be excited about this season.

Bouna (Coundoul) was able to stay for one more week, so he was between the posts on Saturday. He had to be in camp on Monday for the Senegal national team so he flew out on Sunday morning. My chance is coming!!

Looking ahead to training this week, I am sure that with now Bouna absent, there will be no change in the team's preparations. I am sure the coaching staff is expecting whomever steps into the starting role will be ready to slip right in there and continue doing the job very well.

However, I am sure that the tempo of the goalkeeper training will differ slightly. Keeper coach John Murphy likes to work off the rhythm of the No1 and his needs, so with the spot up for grabs it's going to be quite different over the coming days.

Of course, the big transfer news last week was Preston Burpo arriving in a trade for Jovan Kirovski and Kelly Gray. Preston has settled in well this week. He is a great guy and I am sure someone who will give alot to the club whilst he is here.

Kelly and Jovi left leaving everyone in our dressing room sad to see them go. They're two great guys and great professionals. But for both the guys they are going back to their home towns, with Kelly and his wife being a San Jose native and Jovi's wife and kids living there, they were both very happy to get traded back home. For me personally it was tough, as Kelly is a very close friend, but I wish both the guys all the very best.

The Trades here in the MLS is something that I am still getting used to and I find very interesting. There are no windows like Europe, so you can be traded and moved at any point in time without even knowing. As the League owns each player's rights, you can get traded like chess pieces.

Both Kelly and Jovan had no idea. They came into training on Tuesday morning and were told they were being moved to San Jose. They were just as surprised as everyone else was!!

So with Preston here, he's another shot-stopper I need to get over for my chance of making my MLS debut this weekend.

The thought of being the first Aussie not only to sign in the MLS but play minutes has crossed my mind of course. But to be honest when my time comes, I won't even think about it, I%uFFFDll just make sure I have a good 90 minutes and then talk about it after the game - hopefully with a clean sheet and three points!

To me it's a huge achievement in the making. Winning my contract at Southampton, playing pro soccer in Denmark, it's not something many people from my neck of the woods have achieved. It's always nice to have little moments like that, that no one can ever take away from you and I am looking forward to another such moment in my career.