If you didn't already know, third year forward Nate Jaqua is a beast...
I went to see my Rapids last night play against the in-form Chicago Fire. As the playoffs loom, the Rapids really need wins to secure their place in the post season. Recent form of both teams had me worried. Home wins are critical for the Rapids as their road form is downright terrible. The Fire came to Denver with one of the strongest recent records in the league (8 wins - 1 draw between MLS and the US Open Cup) and looked to be storming to the second place playoff spot in the east. Pre-game it wasn't looking good.
The Jim Curtain own goal in the 3rd minute quickly made me feel more confident.
After that own goal and the Rapids control of the play I figured we'd get another point on the board before the half. That didn't happen. In the second half I was downright shocked the Fire didn't put a few goals on the board. Forward Nate Jaqua looked like he could take any cross coming into the box and put it on frame. At 6' - 3", 180 lbs. he is a big guy. However, his vertical leap puts him on a different level. This kid is the target forward everyone drools about. If he were playing for the Rapids last night Terry Cooke would have a field day crossing to him.
Jaqua is tough too. I lost count of how many scrapes he got into with the opposing Rapids. More than once he was going to ground while chasing the ball, or not. He isn't afraid to challenge. He is probably the next Brian McBride for the national team. As a Rapids fan I felt like Jaqua was a little dirty in some of his play. However, I'd love to see those tactics against Italy at World Cup 2010.
I figured I'd take a look at how Jaqua got to this point in his career.
- Attended South Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon from 1996-2000. Played on the varsity team all four years. He was named a Parade All-American twice and named Oregon 4A Player of the Year twice.
- Attended the 1999 adidas ESP Camp along with; Jose Burciaga Jr., Brian Carroll, Alecko Eskandarian, Leonard Griffin, Oguchi Onyewu, Logan Pause, Troy Perkins, David Wagenfuhr and Chris Wingert.
- In 1999 he got his first national program experience with the U-18's. Since then he's played for the U-20's, U-23's and full National Team.
- Played college soccer at the University of Portland from 2000 - 2002 where he was a Hermann Trophy nominee, NSCAA 3rd Team All-American, he earned several Team of the Week honors.
- Signed as a Nike P-40 player by MLS.
- Selected 3rd in the SuperDraft by Chicago in 2003. Selected behind Alecko Eskandarian and Ricardo Clark but ahead of Mike Magee, David Stokes, Todd Dunivant, Diego Walsh, Guillermo Gonzalez, Pat Noonan and Shavar Thomas in the first round.
If you haven't seen Jaqua play, look for him. He entertains with each leap, shot, pass and tackle, even if he is ringing Rapid Hunter Freeman around the neck while falling out of bounds.
Editor's Note: Jaqua has been in the league 4 years, not 3. Thanks Prk.
The Jim Curtain own goal in the 3rd minute quickly made me feel more confident.
After that own goal and the Rapids control of the play I figured we'd get another point on the board before the half. That didn't happen. In the second half I was downright shocked the Fire didn't put a few goals on the board. Forward Nate Jaqua looked like he could take any cross coming into the box and put it on frame. At 6' - 3", 180 lbs. he is a big guy. However, his vertical leap puts him on a different level. This kid is the target forward everyone drools about. If he were playing for the Rapids last night Terry Cooke would have a field day crossing to him.
Jaqua is tough too. I lost count of how many scrapes he got into with the opposing Rapids. More than once he was going to ground while chasing the ball, or not. He isn't afraid to challenge. He is probably the next Brian McBride for the national team. As a Rapids fan I felt like Jaqua was a little dirty in some of his play. However, I'd love to see those tactics against Italy at World Cup 2010.
I figured I'd take a look at how Jaqua got to this point in his career.
- Attended South Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon from 1996-2000. Played on the varsity team all four years. He was named a Parade All-American twice and named Oregon 4A Player of the Year twice.
- Attended the 1999 adidas ESP Camp along with; Jose Burciaga Jr., Brian Carroll, Alecko Eskandarian, Leonard Griffin, Oguchi Onyewu, Logan Pause, Troy Perkins, David Wagenfuhr and Chris Wingert.
- In 1999 he got his first national program experience with the U-18's. Since then he's played for the U-20's, U-23's and full National Team.
- Played college soccer at the University of Portland from 2000 - 2002 where he was a Hermann Trophy nominee, NSCAA 3rd Team All-American, he earned several Team of the Week honors.
- Signed as a Nike P-40 player by MLS.
- Selected 3rd in the SuperDraft by Chicago in 2003. Selected behind Alecko Eskandarian and Ricardo Clark but ahead of Mike Magee, David Stokes, Todd Dunivant, Diego Walsh, Guillermo Gonzalez, Pat Noonan and Shavar Thomas in the first round.
If you haven't seen Jaqua play, look for him. He entertains with each leap, shot, pass and tackle, even if he is ringing Rapid Hunter Freeman around the neck while falling out of bounds.
Editor's Note: Jaqua has been in the league 4 years, not 3. Thanks Prk.
posted by Bonji at
8:52 AM
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