It’s Burpo time! Faced with an imminent goalkeeper crisis, the Rapids acquired Preston Burpo, 35, from the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday in exchange for forward Jovan Kirovski and defender Kelly Gray. The Rapids also received the ‘Quakes’ fourth-round pick in 2009.
The Rapids will be without No. 1 goalie Bouna Coundoul for a month after Saturday’s game against Chivas USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park while he plays for Senegal. Backup Justin Hughes is set to fly to Germany to have surgery to repair two hernias, which left only pool goalies — backup players essentially shared by all MLS clubs — Chris Sharpe and Mike Graczyk on the depth chart.
Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said Burpo’s experience is vital.
“We have in Justin Hughes a very young . . . very good prospect,” Clavijo said. “But we need experience, that presence.”
