The University of Denver Pioneers ended exhibition play with a win against Stanford on Saturday.  The game was played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on the Colorado Rapids’ practice field.

Goals were scored by freshman defender Drew Beckie, freshman forward Nick Brant, and senior defender Austin Haller.  Jarod Stigall, Kyle Varvil, and Sam Garza added assists for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers fell to SMU in Texas in their first exhibition match of the season off a 90th minute game winner.

The Pioneers start their regular season play on Friday September 4, against North Carolina State at the Duke Classic, in North Carolina. They will finish off the tournament with a game against Duke on September 6th.

Here is the rest of the schedule for this season:

Fri, Sept. 4, North Carolina, Away (Duke Classic)

Sun, Sept. 6, Duke, Away (Duke Classic)

Fri, Sept. 11, Dayton, Home 7pm

Sun, Sept. 13, Belmont, Home 2pm

Sun, Sept. 20, Washington, Home 7pm

Fri, Sept. 25, Cal State Northridge, Away (Fullerton Classic)

Sun, Sept. 27, Cal State Fullerton, Away (Fullerton Classic)

Thu, Oct. 1, Missouri State, Away

Sat, Oct. 03, Tulsa, Away

Sat, Oct. 10, Missouri-Kansas City, Home 7pm

Fri, Oct.16 San Jose State, Away (Conference Game)

Sun, Oct. 18, Sacramento State, Away (Conference Game)

Fri, Oct. 23, UNLV, Home 7pm (Conference Game)

Fri, Oct. 25, New Mexico, Home 1pm (Conference Game)

Fri, Oct. 30, Seattle, Home 7:30pm (Conference Game)

Sun, Nov. 1, Cal State Bakersfield, Away (Conference Game)

Sat, Nov. 7, Air Force, Away (Conference Game)

Thu, Nov. 12, 13, and 15 MPSF Tournament at DU

Adu found a team

Freddy Adu has finally secured a loan deal to Belenenses in the Portuguese first division.  Belenenses sits 7th in the Portuguese league and will be facing Benfica this weekend.

I think most were expecting or at least hoping Adu would head to a slightly less competitive league or a much smaller team in a big league, like Altidore at Hull.  I think the Portuguese league is riding the prestige and strength of Porto, Benfica, and Sporting (with the exception of two seasons these three teams have won every league championship in the last 65 years).  In reality the league isn’t as competitive as it looks and getting playing time at a mid table Portuguese club is very realistic.  I think this will be a good move for Adu . . . maybe I’m just being optimistic.

Trading defenders

Coach Smith has taken another step to put his personal stamp on the Rapids. Ugo Ihemelu has been traded to FC Dallas for Drew Moor, a second round draft pick in 2010, and allocation money.  I wonder how much Baudet’s performance against Houston this weekend pushed this trade through.  Ugo has been an excellent player for the Rapids.  His versatility and athleticism made him a core member of the Rapids backline.

Is it a good move for the Rapids?  Drew Moor is an excellent defender and can play wide right as well as centrally.  Moor probably brings a little bit more offense than Ihemelu.  Considering the Rapids also received money and a draft pick I think it was a good move by Smith.  Sad to see Ugo go but that is the nature of the game.

Team of the Week honors for Davies

Charlie Davies’ good form is still rolling.  He didn’t score this weekend but he earned the game winning penalty kick in Sochaux’s league match against Monaco.  Davies was dangerous all game and his play earned him Ligue 1 Team of the Week honors.

Castillo scores

Edgar Castillo smashed a goal for Tigres this weekend in Mexican league play against Santos. The diminuative left back got a hold of a loose ball just outside the 18 and ripped a shot from 25 yards out.  It was his first goal for Tigres but he chose not celebrate because he thought it disrepectful to the team that gave him his start in the Mexican league.

Castillo continues to make a case for himself to be selected for the US national team.  What will it take for Bob Bradley to give this guy a shot?  Do you think the USSF is making him sweat it out before they give him a call? or, do you think there are still questions about his real desire to play for the US?

Share your thoughts on these developments.