‘Jackie Chan’, as he is more popularly known, ran onto the Rapids roster in March after being bought from another MLS Club, Toronto FC.
He instantly became a top pick for the MLS after his stupendous performance against one of the top US soccer clubs, New England Revolution during the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League while he was playing for Joe Public FC.
The Trinidadian semi-professional club was playing in their first Champions league and Richardson scored a sensational hat-trick to lead them to a four-nil win.
Since then his name has been ringing bells across the MLS and internationally but thanks to Garth Nelson and Colin Baker who are the overseas representatives of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), he was able to land a try out with Toronto FC.
However the Rapids thought that he would make a fine addition to their roster and so they traded in their 2010 second round pick of the MLS draft for the Guyanese striker.
The deal nets the star striker US$75,000, including a signing bonus. Terms for additional incentives are also included in the contract should Richardson pick up club and league awards such as MVPs and MLS All-star.
Rapids head coach Gary Smith had told this newspaper that it is Richardson’s talent that landed him a spot in the team.
“I think the plusses for Gregory are that he is a very gifted player and a talented footballer. He certainly has a lot of disguise in his game. He wants to be on the ball. He wants to be involved in possession. And he has shown already that he is a capable player on the ball,” Smith said.
He noted, however, that the downside for Richardson is the physical demands of the MLS and the fast transformation the striker would have to make.
Change culturally
“My concern is him having to change culturally from an environment where he is probably quite laid back. He is probably being asked to do things that he has never been asked before and train in ways he has never before. He does have a job description here and I think it will take him some time to get used to that along with everything else.”
And Richardson said that indeed the type of play is a bit more physical than in the Caribbean.
“Well I think they play real physical football here, it is tough you know, but I’m grooving in very well you know…the team is doing good so far in the league, we have some good players so I’m just waiting on my moment you know,” Richardson said.
Richardson made his MLS debut on March 21 in Colorado’s first game of the 2009 MLS season against Chivas USA but since then he is yet to take the field.
“I know that I have only played one game since I’m here, but I’m not rushing nothing, this is the professional league, the big stage and you have to wait on your turn so that’s what I’m doing right now, waiting on my time to shine,” Richardson said.
He also added: ‘But I have been doing well in the reserve league you know, as a matter of fact, I score almost every game and only Tuesday gone I scored a double so my time will come….I mean the players here are not as skillful but still they had to wait on their turn so I’m waiting on mine…right now. I’m just enjoying the professionalism and I still have a lot more to learn cause football here like I said is a different set-up.”
The 27-year-old striker said also that he is still willing and ready to play for Guyana again whenever the need arises.
