Interest soaring for Guarda
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:16 amInterest soaring for Guarda
Several teams inquire about trade for ex-SMU star
By Brian Forbes
Special to The Denver Post
COMMERCE CITY  The Rapids have learned a new certainty in life: When you win the lottery, your phone immediately starts to ring.
Since claiming the rights to Southern Methodist standout Bruno Guarda in a weighted lottery Tuesday, Rapids general manager Charlie Wright said Thursday that several teams have expressed great interest in the Brazilian-born attacking midfielder.
Although the Rapids are under no pressure to deal the two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist, who likely would have been the No. 1 pick in the 2009 SuperDraft had he waited to go pro, all signs point to a deal in the works.
Guarda's agent, Dan Segal, said Thursday his client was holding off making any public statements about joining the Rapids.
"His agent has made it very clear that his client would be happy if we would listen to other offers," Wright said on the phone from Toronto.
Wright stressed that all conversations with Guarda's representatives have been positive and that the Rapids will be thrilled to keep him if the right deal does not materialize. The Rapids had a roster spot available after putting goalkeeper Justin Hughes (shoulder) on the season-ending injury list.
An obvious destination for Guarda would be FC Dallas, which hired longtime SMU coach Schellas Hyndman last month. Although Piracicaba, Brazil, is Guarda's hometown, he went to high school in the Dallas area.
Guarda, 22, is an attacking midfielder known for being very technical, and he can play central or wide.
The Rapids had just an 8 percent chance of winning Guarda's rights. Toronto FC and FC Dallas had the best odds.
"We are out into brave new territory," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo joked. "We have never won anything like this. We don't know how to act right now."
Several teams inquire about trade for ex-SMU star
By Brian Forbes
Special to The Denver Post
COMMERCE CITY  The Rapids have learned a new certainty in life: When you win the lottery, your phone immediately starts to ring.
Since claiming the rights to Southern Methodist standout Bruno Guarda in a weighted lottery Tuesday, Rapids general manager Charlie Wright said Thursday that several teams have expressed great interest in the Brazilian-born attacking midfielder.
Although the Rapids are under no pressure to deal the two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist, who likely would have been the No. 1 pick in the 2009 SuperDraft had he waited to go pro, all signs point to a deal in the works.
Guarda's agent, Dan Segal, said Thursday his client was holding off making any public statements about joining the Rapids.
"His agent has made it very clear that his client would be happy if we would listen to other offers," Wright said on the phone from Toronto.
Wright stressed that all conversations with Guarda's representatives have been positive and that the Rapids will be thrilled to keep him if the right deal does not materialize. The Rapids had a roster spot available after putting goalkeeper Justin Hughes (shoulder) on the season-ending injury list.
An obvious destination for Guarda would be FC Dallas, which hired longtime SMU coach Schellas Hyndman last month. Although Piracicaba, Brazil, is Guarda's hometown, he went to high school in the Dallas area.
Guarda, 22, is an attacking midfielder known for being very technical, and he can play central or wide.
The Rapids had just an 8 percent chance of winning Guarda's rights. Toronto FC and FC Dallas had the best odds.
"We are out into brave new territory," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo joked. "We have never won anything like this. We don't know how to act right now."