The view from Ugo Ihemelu’s window has changed dramatically during his short life.
From the lush hills of Nigeria, to the cold rivers of Winnipeg, to the heat of Dallas and the glitz of Los Angeles, Ihemelu has three passports and thousands of stories.
Now comes Denver.
Ihemelu, a 24-year-old defender, was dealt in December along with forward Herculez Gomez to the Rapids in exchange for all-star goalkeeper Joe Cannon in what stands as the biggest trade coach Fernando Clavijo has made in his three seasons.
To the Los Angeles Galaxy went a veteran goalie who had been the foundation of the Rapids for the past three seasons. To the Rapids came proven young players and the promotion of prospect Bouna Coundoul to the starting goalkeeping job.
It was a bold move born out of circumstances. The Galaxy, with Landon Donovan and soon-arriving David Beckham, is looking short-term and to rebound from a dismal 2006 season.
The Rapids were looking to fix a lethargic defense and put more zip and pop in their offense.
The trade was received like a Keanu Reeves movie.
“At first, it didn’t make much sense,” said Ihemelu, a standout at Southern Methodist who was the No. 5 selection overall in the 2005 draft.
“Initially, it didn’t look like a good proposition, just because Joe, over the years, has been the rock in the back line,” Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni said.
But seeing has made believers out of the Rapids (1-1-1), who look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they play on the road Monday against rival Real Salt Lake (0-1-2).
The revamped defense is quicker, more aggressive and generally smoother. The Rapids have allowed five goals in their first three games, compared to giving up eight to start the 2006 season. Gomez leads the team with two goals. Coundoul has produced some highlights and showed some inexperience in Sunday’s 3-1 loss at FC Dallas.
The early verdict?
“With the combination of a better defense, guys that are finishing up top and a goalie that can play at this level and has proved himself, it looks like Rapids staff are a bunch of magicians,” Mastroeni said.
For Clavijo, the move fits his grand plan of helping the team now with talent that should produce for many seasons. Cannon is 32, while Ihemelu, Gomez and Coundoul are all younger than 26.
Further validation for Clavijo has been the amount of offers for Ihemelu.
“I’ve been offered an allocation and first-round picks for him,” Clavijo said. “More than I ever had for Joe Cannon.”
The fourth of five children, Ihemelu is five classes short of a double major in general business and psychology. A right back in college, Ihemelu played 58 games for the Galaxy as a central defender, including a victory in the 2005 MLS Cup alongside his roommate Gomez.
Ihemelu said the shock he and Gomez experienced after being traded became motivation.
“I don’t know what the Galaxy was doing, trading Ugo,” Gomez said. “I think he’s a player that’s going to come back and bite them. He’s got enormous upside.”
But what of the leadership void left by the charismatic Cannon, who became the face of a largely faceless franchise? Clavijo said the current locker room is the best he has been around – as a coach or player.
“It’s hard to replace Joe Cannon. As far as his personality, he’s one of a kind,” Mastroeni said. “I think the mind-set is more team-oriented. I think this has always been a selfless team, but even more now with the young guys that are coming in.”
Outside Ihemelu’s window are the Rocky Mountains, a sparkling new stadium and a defense he calls one of the best in MLS. An MLS Cup would be another great story.
Colorado betting on younger force
The biggest trade in Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo’s three seasons was to send goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for defender Ugo Ihemelu and forward Herculez Gomez, which also thrust prospect Bouna Coundoul into the starting keeper position. Freelance soccer reporter Brian Forbes analyzes what each player has done recently and how they have started the 2007 season.
GOING OUT
Joe Cannon
Age: 32
Position: Goalkeeper
What he did: Anchored the Rapids’ defense for three seasons. Major League Soccer’s 2004 goalkeeper of the year and MVP finalist. Fan favorite, with outgoing personality.
2007 performance: In two games with the Galaxy, he has one shutout and has given up two goals (one on a penalty kick).
COMING IN
Player: Ugo Ihemelu
Age: 24
Position: Defender
What he did: The fifth pick in the 2005 draft, he went on to appear in 58 games (56 as a starter) for the Galaxy in two seasons.
2007 performance: He’s the new face of a revamped Rapids defense. Speed is his forte, something the Rapids have missed for many seasons.
Herculez Gomez
Age: 25
Position: Forward
What he did: Worked his way into the Galaxy limelight with 18 goals in 2005 and five in 2006.
2007 performance: Scored two goals in the Rapids’ first two games as a left midfielder and forward. His speed and unpredictability give teams fits.
MOVING UP
Bouna Coundoul
Age: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
What he did: Played in five games last year for the Rapids, notching two shutouts and helping the team to a 2-2-1 record.
2007 performance: Surrendered five goals in three games this season as the Rapids are off to a 1-1-1 start.
Ups and downs with previous trades
Freelance soccer reporter Brian Forbes analyzes coach Fernando Clavijo’s previous big trades with the Rapids:
Jeff Cunningham for Clint Mathis
Cunningham scored 12 goals and recorded three assists in 2005 before being shipped for Mathis, who came relatively cheap once Real Salt Lake agreed to pick up most his salary for two seasons.
The verdict: A bomb. Cunningham had 16 goals and 11 assists in 2006, while Mathis scored just twice and the Rapids’ offense suffered. Clavijo maintains the move was right for team chemistry. Mathis was dealt this month to New York for late-round draft picks.
Jean Philippe Peguero for Thiago Martins and picks
Both strikers had dealt with nagging injuries but had tremendous potential. Peguero was an ace in the air, and Martins was a tireless worker.
The verdict: Bad, then good. The Rapids missed Peguero’s aerial skills, and Martins was snakebitten in front of the goal. Martins left, but the Rapids would have gotten nothing when Peguero moved to Denmark, and used the draft pick on touted rookie Nico Colaluca.
Chris Henderson for Mike Petke
Fan favorite Henderson led the Rapids in points and games started, but at 34, he was declining, as was his market value. In Petke, the Rapids wanted to add depth and experience to the back.
The verdict: Success. Henderson scored only five more goals before retiring in 2006. Petke, 31, remains a big piece of the Colorado defense.
