Despite an overall ninth-placed MLS finish last season, Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith was pleased with the 2009 seasons.

It was his first term in charge of the Rapids and although the team didn't reach the play-offs, there were plenty of positive aspects according to Smith.

"There were a number of areas that I was very pleased about," Smith told Soccer365.com. "I thought our home form was very good. The front two (Omar Cummings and Conor Casey) performed very well. Nic (LaBrocca), Kosuke (Kimura), and Omar in particular showed well. With Conor, his 16 goals, the amount of goals we scored, all of those are positives. We forget that before Colin (Clark) had his injury it was looking very bright. Those lads are players that we as a club have put some time, effort, and faith in with new contracts. It's pleasing to see how they're maturing and developing."

And along with those pleasing signs, Smith has strengthened his playing roster for 2010 and is confident results will pick up this season.

"The new additions showed that they're going to be good for the job in this league," he added.

"Julian (Baudet), Jamie (Smith) had their injuries and had broken up what was hopefully a nice end to the season. They're fitting in great. There's always a concern when you bring in players from abroad that they're not going to fit in so we're very pleased about that.

"I'm hoping a full season on, being able to add players, being able to reconfirm to players that the path we're taking, the expectations that they're under, maybe having gone through some difficulties again give experience. I do honestly think that even though we didn't make the post-season the progression and the positive edge to the group, and the way that the group performed for a good percentage of last season gives us a platform to be looking even higher than our expectations."