Colorado Rapids midfielder Jamie Smith has been among the unlucky ones in MLS.
Quite similar to John Thorrington, he is a smart and skillful midfielder who can leave his mark on a game in a number of ways – when healthy. And there’s the rub.
Like Thorrington, Smith has had a hard time keeping himself on the field, averaging just 14 appearances over his four seasons with the Rapids. Most of the absences were rooted in two serious knee injuries.
News late last week that Colorado had re-signed Smith speaks directly to the Scotsman’s ability to be impact player, because teams aren’t usually going to fight over 32-year-old midfielders with two serious knee injuries shading the resume. So it shows big trust on the part of Rapids technical director Paul Bravo and manager Oscar Pareja that they are choosing to make Smith part of the plan around DSG Park this year.
Injuries to Martin Rivero and Jaime Castrillon, which will dramatically dent the Rapids’ attack this year, may have pushed management over the finish line on this choice. Still, they could have gone elsewhere, so the message of trust and value still resonates.
Thorrington is now with D.C. United.
(MORE: Thorrington’s signing a good move for United)
