The historic 2016 Colorado Rapids begin their next challenge
Sunday night in Los Angeles as they open up their playoff run on the road. However, don’t let that worry you Rapids
fans. The Burgundy Boys have attained a
result in 11 of 17 matches away from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this season so
there’s less need to worry than initially feared.
“We’re prepared for any type of game and we’ve done well in
different kind of environments,” Captain Sam Cronin told The Voice of C38 this
week. “When the game is hectic, and the
crowd is loud, and the game isn’t going our way, we’ve been in those
experiences and know how to ride it out.
We’ll be compact but we’re going to chase the game, try to press them,
and get on top of that.”
Despite a large lack of wins away, the fact that the Rapids
have only dropped 6 of those matches isn’t down to luck according to
Cronin. “I think it’s just because we’re
a good team. We’re organized and tough
to break down so whenever things get crazy having a solid unit of 11 players is
the best strategy to get through that.
On the road, games get hectic and crazy so you’ve got to be able to
lockdown and see games out.”
Given the fact that Colorado has already visited Stub Hub
Center twice this year-both draws-there will be no “intimidation factor”,
although that’s hardly an issue with this group. “The numbers don’t affect us very much but
it’s the film-when we see some of the film of us going to places and pressing,
playing our brand at other places, it looks pretty good,” says defender Marc
Burch.
“In both those (road) games we were really tight and limited
their chances,” Cronin examines as to what will be key in holding down LA’s
chances. “We have a lot of guys who are
quick and dangerous on the break. On a
big field like that, when we do win the ball there’s plenty of room to run and
plenty of space to exploit them so that will be a little bit of the recipe for
Sunday.”
Burch also likes the altitude factor, or lack thereof,
benefiting his side, and it’s no secret that endurance athletes train at
altitude in order to reap the benefits while competing at sea-level or low
elevation. “Going down to sea-level
helps a lot,” explains Burch. “We have
the advantage here but we also have an advantage when we head down. Going
places like (LA) and having a little bit more energy, a little bit more
pressure, I think that’s our style.”
That’s not saying a trip to Carson CA is ever easy, though
according to Burch. He knows the Galaxy
are one team that does tend to play to more success at home. “Going there is where they like to
score. It’s where they have their energy
and where they like to score.”
“Defensively, they’re not the greatest team in the league
and offensively they’re really great, so stopping their attack and getting
after them will be our way,” the veteran Burch further explains. “They give up some chances, but I think
they’re coming in to form. That’s the thing about LA-it doesn’t matter how they
look through the season but they’re ready when the playoffs come around.”
So too will the Rapids be, as they look to bring points or
at least goals back to Commerce City for the return leg and hopefully
advance. “Any result is a good result
for us, but keeping it tight in the back is going to be key,” reiterated Burch. “Tim (Howard) comes up with a couple of big
saves our last game there and all of a sudden they feel like they’re not going
to score and that’s what we need to do-make a couple of good blocks, or
defensively with Tim, and then we can catch them on the counter.”
No comments:
Post a Comment