Can you believe it? Are you ready? Do you have your burgundy
kit set aside, or did you get a new one personalized at the jersey launch last
night? For this guy; I’ll be donning the
original green, while it may be the St. Patty’s day game I’m in it for something
different. After a rare Rapidman visit,
I’m going to start a movement to bring back Rapidman. After all, we be best
friends!
Now on to the home opener against the LA Galaxy; who happens
to be our biggest foe. Facing off 68
times now, neither the Rapids nor LA have faced any other team more. While the overall record isn’t one to boast
about, neither is the short term one. It’s
been a long 680 days (5 games, and nearly 2 years) since the Rapids beat LA,
but something tells me that change is in the air.
Not just because the Rapids roster has 16 new players, or
that the newest signing of Jermaine Jones isn’t the last. It’s the atmosphere. Every year I sit down and write up a preview
before the first game and there seems to be a good amount of optimism looking
forward to a new season. This year, it’s
almost unexplainable. While I still see comments on Rapids threads full of negativity,
it’s down to two or three miserable people, versus the hundreds we saw at the
end of last season.
When I asked Pablo if there were anything that they would be
doing to give the guys an extra bit of motivation, he simply said “For us, it’s
to continue to focus on the things we have been working on since the beginning of
the season. Continue to build those relationships on the field, and play our
game.” He went on briefly about the San
Jose game, and that aside from the one minute of a mental lapse the performance
was solid. He finished off the statement
by saying “I think the biggest motivation here is this is our home opener. Being
a former player I know that this is one of the most exciting games of the year
and I think the motivation comes intrinsically. We have a great group of guys that
want to get the season off on the right foot, and to play well for the fans and
themselves. The mentality has been great this week and look forward to that reflecting
in the performance in the weekend.”
Sam Cronin said something very similar; in fact every player
interview I’ve conducted this season I’ve asked “Is there anything that comes
from the stands that gives you an extra boost of motivation?” In every answer
it’s the noise. Loud, cheer loud, be
loud, and that’s what lights the fire under these guys feet. With all due respect, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
isn’t known for how loud it can be. Maybe we should work on that, after all, it’s
on us to be a better 12th man.
The way I look at this game against LA, is that this is a
new season for everyone. It’s a new season
for the Rapids, their players and staff, new for us the supporters, and the
fans. Everyone has to step their game up, including us. If you’re at the game and you notice it goes
quiet at the 69th minute, there is a reason. Because from the 70th minute on,
we would like to see everyone stand up and cheer the boys on.
As for the matchup, if you look at each team stats from last
week aside from the score line, they were very similar. Both LA and Colorado were 80% passing, both
teams crossed the ball 19 times, and both teams had 58% possession. Both seem to play wide, both look for their
Irish striker to find a hole in the defense and both have new prolific players
who can make a difference. Our burgundy
boys will have to give it their all, and the 12th man may truly play
a part.
If you are coming out to The Dick, make a day of it. The C38 tailgate will kickoff at 2pm, (the
game kicks off just after 5pm on Altitude if you can’t make it), and Blue
Spruce Brewing is supplying the kegs with quality craft brew. Tivoli is also providing 6 kegs of brew from
a variety of local brewery’s so there will be plenty of choices for you. The Voice of C38 podcast will be conducting
their first live “Cast from the Kegs” with special appearances from Rapids
commentators Richard Fleming and Marcello Balboa.
Predicted starting XI: Zac MacMath, Eric Miller, Jared
Watts, Axel Sjoberg, Mekeil Williams, Sam
Cronin, Michael Azira, Dom Badji, Dillon Powers, Shkelzen Gashi, Kevin Doyle.
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