Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo first scouted forward Jovan Kirovski when the player was 12. A California native, Kirovski used to attend soccer camps hosted by Major Indoor Soccer League’s San Diego Sockers, with whom Clavijo was a star.
About 17 years later, Kirovski is the newest star in Clavijo’s overhauled lineup. He was acquired Tuesday from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a 2007 first-round draft pick.
Kirovski has played for Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon, and became the first American to taste Champions League glory when Borussia Dortmund won Europe’s top club tournament in 1997.
“I’ve been everywhere, and I think with my experience I’m going to help the young players play the game,” said Kirovski, who turned 29 in March. “I can help coach on the field. … At the end, I have to help create and score goals.”
The Rapids also added veteran striker Diego Serna and 23-year-old Haitian midfielder Alexandre Boucicaut before Major League Soccer’s Sept. 15 transfer deadline, which means the first phase of Clavijo’s rebuilding plan is finished.
Since being hired in December, Clavijo has brought in 24 players and shipped out 18. The Rapids got off to a horrible start but began to show signs of life in the middle of the summer.
Along with Kirovski and Serna, Clavijo is confident he has improved the team’s talent with the additions of Jeff Cunningham, Alain Nkong, Terry Cooke, Mike Petke, Hunter Freeman, Luchi Gonzalez and Eric Denton.
Clavijo said he believes this team has the talent to push for the franchise’s first MLS title, if it can be consistent and cohesive.
Midfielder Kyle Beckerman agrees the squad has been upgraded and can’t help but feel a sense of pride as the Rapids seem to be shaking off their small-market label.
“With the team now, it’s looking more like we can get to a point where we start building to be at the top,” Beckerman said. “Teams are definitely going to have to look at us twice.”
With Kirovski and Serna, the Rapids are suddenly as deep as the franchise has been in the attacking department, which Cooke said is an asset on several levels.
“In the end, you’ve got to have a balance,” Cooke said. “But I think we got the balance right here. The thing is, it keeps everybody on their toes, fighting for positions.”
A year after scoring just 29 goals in 30 games, the Rapids have 31 goals with six games remaining – a stretch in which the Rapids must improve if they are to validate Clavijo’s belief that the team can win now.
Since joining the Galaxy before the 2004 season, Kirovski scored 12 goals and had six assists. He scored in his Galaxy debut and looked to be the perfect complement to veteran Carlos Ruiz.
With Ruiz gone to FC Dallas, Kirovski scored four goals and had four assists this season with the Galaxy, but he hasn’t found the back of the net since June 4. Kirovski blamed Galaxy coach Steve Sampson for playing him out of position, wide on the flanks.
At 6-feet-1, Kirovski said he is best used as a second striker or an attacking midfielder who is happy to do the dirty work up top.
“He may not have the numbers you want to see like Jeff (Cunningham), but he’s a guy who works off the ball tremendously, has good size, good skills,” Clavijo said of Kirovski. “We try to tell everybody, this is a team that needs to work to get results.”
The Rapids were 10-7-9 at this time in 2004 and, despite an anemic offense, had the most points (39) in the MLS.
The Rapids are 9-13-4 with 31 points after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at D.C. United. Kirovski played behind Cunningham and striker Jean Philippe Peguero, but could not stop the Rapids from being shut out for the seventh time this season.
“Last year was a decent team, but I think we were riding too much on our defense,” 2004 goalkeeper of the year Joe Cannon said. “It kind of came back to haunt us.”
These Rapids seem ready to ride their new offense into the postseason.
Coming and going
A list of the players signed by Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo who have appeared with the first team:
Dedi Ben-Dayan: Israeli international can play midfield and defense. A rare, natural left side player, Ben-Dayan has a heavy shot and notched an assist in his Aug. 17 debut.
Terry Cooke: Veteran right winger has been filling the void left by Chris Henderson. Grew up in the Manchester United youth system; has great speed and serves great crosses.
Leo Cullen: A defensive midfielder who has played for Clavijo in the past. Not flashy, but solid.
Jeff Cunningham: Clavijo’s best acquisition. Leads the teams in goals, has regained his star status and is closer to a spot on the U.S. National Team when it goes to the World Cup in 2006.
Eric Denton: Released by Columbus, Denton has found new life with the Rapids, playing in almost every game this season as a left back or in the midfield. He has been a surprise.
Hunter Freeman: First-round draft pick has proved himself and should be a fixture for years to come.
Dan Gargan: Used as a defender and midfielder, Gargan has the second-most minutes for a rookie, behind Freeman.
Luchi Gonzalez: Hard-working and dedicated, Gonzalez is a definite spark plug; however, he is having trouble finding his most productive position on the pitch.
Wolde Harris: Veteran brought in for insurance and guidance for the youth had suddenly found himself further down in the pecking order with Kirovski, Serna and Noel added.
Jovan Kirovski: A veteran attacking player with U.S. National Team and big-time European club experience. Can he regain his best form under Clavijo?
Alain Nkong: Immensely talented attacking midfielder has smoothed raw edges and become a force in the MLS. Unpredictable, fast and hard-working – a prototypical player for Clavijo’s philosophy.
Fabrice Noel: Must grow as a player and physically, but has shown flashes of offensive brilliance.
Mike Petke: A rock of a defensive player, familiar with the league; has a championship under his belt with D.C. United.
Players signed yet to make a first-team appearance: Alexandre Boucicaut, Bouna Coundoul, Josh Elbaum, Sasha Gotsmanov, Stephen Keel, Amir Lowery, Diego Serna
Players gone since Clavijo took over in December: Michael Cardenas, Mark Chung, Jordan Cila, Antonio de la Torre, Alberto Delgado, Joey DiGiamarino, Michael Erush, Chris Henderson, Rey Angel Martinez, Martin Morales, Guy Melamed, Darryl Powell, Zizi Roberts, Marcus Sagastume, John Spencer, Jeff Stewart, Gary Sullivan, Seth Trembly
