The enthusiasm was evident this morning at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as the Colorado Rapids took to the practice field for the first time this season. After three days of physicals and fitness tests, the defending MLS Champions were anxious for some playing time.
“The first practice was good, nothing really different, stuff that we expect,” Jeff Larentowicz tells Examiner.com. “It’s good to see everyone and get outside.”
“It’s great,” Pablo Mastroeni agrees. “The short break was tough in one sense, but I think it’s great because we can get back to our form, and back to that rhythm of playing a lot sooner. We get back with the group of guys that played well the last 12 months. It’s good to be out here with the group of guys and the new additions as well.”
As the Colorado Rapids start their season, there are many new players wearing burgundy.
“It’s good to see a lot new faces and guys that we look forward to playing along side,” shares Mastroeni.
“This year the roster expands, so there’s going to be a lot more opportunities for new guys,” Larentowicz adds. “We’ve got a bunch, ten, I think. They have all been together so I haven’t seen them, but you know I’ve heard about them. I’m sure they are going to be a good additions.”
Beginning a season as the defending MLS Champions, the Rapids are planning to keep it simple in their preparation for the 2011 season.
“For now, it’s just getting our legs under us again,” explains Larentowicz. “Coach Smith is getting us moving again, touching the ball, and just getting the foundation of our fitness up.”
“I think that’s the hardest part about this league is that you almost have to relearn everything again,” Mastroeni observes. “Being that we had such a short time off, I think that a lot of that is still ingrained in our brains. We know how we want to come out playing, and what we did really well last year, and continue to build on that.
“We have a long enough pre-season where we can tie up those loose ends and stuff,” the 2010 MVP continues. “I think as far as holding that same level, it’s just the ability to come out here and work everyday. I don’t think anything changes. The one thing that helped us out last year was that the guys left the egos at home and came in to work every day. We expect nothing different this year.”
The Colorado Rapids have two more weeks of practice before heading to Arizona where they will face Sporting KC in their first 2011 preseason match.
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