One western side isn’t taking a backseat this summer. The Colorado Rapids are actively perusing a couple players in hopes to bring on to help their lack of depth going into the second half of the season.

Currently the Rapids sit forth in the west and 8th overall, which would be good enough for a playoff spot today. However their recent form over the last couple games hasn’t been good. According to the Denver Post, Rapids technical director Paul Bravo and head coach Gary Smith are in talks with a couple players right now to join the club after the July 15 summer transfer window opens up.

In addition to signing 30-year-old French defender Julien Baudet, the Rapids — pending any paperwork snafus — will add 30-year-old Argentine striker Facundo Diz, formerly with Atletico Platense, and 28-year-old Scottish winger Jamie Smith, who was last at Aberdeen and played with Rapids assistant Steve Guppy at Celtic.

The Rapids will have to drop one player to make room for the full trio, Smith said.

Along with forward Pat Noonan, added last month, the new lineup will try to make the Rapids relevant going into the second half of the season.

Bravo said when it comes to identifying talent, he and Smith have similar views. Both start with adaptable players hungry to impress who can cope with the heat and travel of MLS.

All three are spots the Rapids have seen issues at this season when key players are missing to international call-ups, injuries or suspensions. They should have Baudet available soon but it will be interesting to see if they end up with Diz or Smith. I could see Smith as a better signing than bringing on another striker that is already in his 30s.

We’ve seen before that some additions to clubs don’t work out so it is good to hear that Bravo is actively trying to find players that fit in to the style of MLS more so than just grabbing a big name. At the end of the day getting quality depth and quality players to the league is important, even if they aren’t big names.

A small trade really but one to talk about…the Los Angeles Galaxy acquired midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi from the Columbus Crew for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

The 31-year old midfielder from Brazil began his MLS career with the Galaxy in 2006, appearing in three games before being traded to Columbus after the season.

The bigger news however is about Paul Bravo

The Galaxy also announced Friday that Bravo, the team’s director of soccer, has left to become technical director for the Colorado Rapids.

Bravo played for the Rapids from 1997-2001 before joining their coaching staff in 2002. He joined the Galaxy in June 2006 as an assistant to then-coach Frank Yallop, and held that position for a little over a year before becoming director of soccer.

A very good move for both sides really. Bravo probably had little power left in LA with Bruce Arena in charge and now with Colorado he should be able to run the show there a little more with Gary Smith.