Jared Watts doesn’t mind what you call him-defensive
midfielder, center-back, super-sub-but the fact that he’s as important a piece
of this 2016 Rapids side closing in on history as everyone in burgundy suits
him best. “Where we’re at in the table and what we’ve done all year it’s not an
accident,” he told the Voice of C38 this past week.
“Nobody really gave us a chance but that’s ok. We knew what we have in the locker room. It doesn’t matter who’s stepped in and who’s
been on the field. We’ve been able to
continue to push along and get good results and play at a good level. It’s a deep group and definitely been a
team-rewarding season.”
One main reason for the success is the fact that the whole
roster has been utilized and the man behind that is the biggest believer in
those wearing burgundy, according to Watts.
“You’ve got a guy like (Head Coach) Pablo (Mastroeni) who’s pushed the
team so much, he’s all in and bought all in to these guys, so when you’ve got a
coach like that who’s behind you and pushing you, you want to play for him.”
In Vancouver, Colorado was on the brink of possibly
solidifying their playoff bid with 5 games left in the regular season. However, those who watched in disbelief know
the outcome and points lost at the Whitecaps.
Watts and the Rapids were gutted but used the result as a
reminder of what can happen if they lose concentration for the slimmest of
moments. “That’s been the focus after
Vancouver had the comeback is understanding how do we close the game out? The game in Dallas when we did that we
managed the game well, we were able to keep the shutout, but that didn’t carry
over in Vancouver and it cost us.”
“We were obviously disappointed in not being able to close
the game out and I think that’s the important aspect of it-just how do we
manage the game at the end if we’re up a goal or up a man?”
Being able to adapt is something the Rapids have done since
day one this season as new players have continued to come in to a roster that
could change week-to-week or day-to-day given injuries. Watts is the poster child for that mantra as
he’s embraced every role given to him on the field and approached every game
with the same mindset and intensity no matter where he’s positioned in the
lineup.
“It’s some of the same principles of the game, whether
you’re breaking up plays or you’re playing out of the back, some of the
tendencies are the same so it’s just where you’re at on the field,” explains
Watts. “Defending starts with the guys at the top and
they make our job easier in the back which maybe the casual soccer fan doesn’t
see that. Those guys and their work
ethic up top helps you read the game behind them.”
“Obviously I’ve been playing mostly center-back this year so
you’re just deeper on the field but it’s a lot of the same aspects. Everything is in front of you because when
you’re in the midfield you’ve got to check your shoulders, people can run
behind you, and center-back you don’t want people behind you but you’re the
last line of defense and the first line of attack.”
As far as where the Rapids go from here, there is the lone
important home game which must be cultivated for points and then see where the
other teams’ results put them in the final standings. As of now, that could still be a Supporter’s
Shield-an unthinkable honor just months ago-so Watts and his teammates know
their work is not done yet.
“We have certain goals that we want to go after and we think
are still in reach so the last game of the season is going to be key.”
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