Rapids make return to field
The Colorado Rapids hit the field for the first time in two months Thursday, returning at long last for individual workouts in Commerce City following an extended hiatus caused by the coronavirus.
MLS had recently announced players would be permitted to conduct individual workouts on outdoor team training fields beginning May 6. The stipulation was that clubs must follow stringent health protocols to ensure safety.
“It was great getting out there, it almost felt like having a team training,” head coach Robin Fraser said in a team video. “We’ve all seen each other on zoom so much recently, but to see each other in the flesh was nice and everyone looked good. Everyone was ready. It was pretty challenging and it felt like guys were just up for the challenge.”
MLS’ season paused after two weeks of play due to COVID-19. The Rapids won each of their first two games on last-minute goals, but it’s unknown if those results will even matter.
There have been several ideas floated of what the league may look like this year, including a knockout tournament, a neutralsite bubble scenario and a seminormal season with no fans. Currently, there is no restart date.
The focus is only on making sure all teams can return to training.
“It was very professional,” Rapids striker and MLS veteran Kei Kamara said in a team video. “It’s a bit scary to be honest, quarantine soccer. The way you parked your car, you see your
teammates but you’re not able to give them high five as you usually do. You walk in and get the temperature check and get directed to the distance of where you have to go. It’s good that we’re taking the right steps because we want to be back on this grass.”
Many Rapids players haven’t had the luxury of much if any workout gear over their time off. A big part of staying in shape leading up to a resume in play is just getting back to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
“It benefits me a lot,” Kamara explained. “To be back on the right grass and having equipment that we have here. Going to the park to kick a ball isn’t the same. Most of the parks don’t have nets up at the moment.”
The Rapids want to make sure their training is purposeful. It’s the first step in ramping back up to a midseason restart. Nobody is sure of what is next, though Fraser’s perspective remains wide.
“This is a huge global issue,” the Rapids coach said. “But for our small world, we’re excited to get back together and start to play and we feel like we’re a fun team that the community will get excited about. And hopefully, we get to that point soon where we can be out and playing and kind of enjoying each other and hopefully that helps bring the community together.”