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MLS Colorado Rapids

Philadelphia Union vs. Colorado Rapids | MLS Match Preview

March 7, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


The acquisition of James Riley on the eve of the 2015 MLS campaign brought a neat and tidy closure to preseason for Colorado Rapids.

The experienced right-back became the 11th signing of the winter by Pablo Mastroeni and, when organized in formation, they would constitute a very respectable team in the Western Conference.

It proved, once and for all, that this is a new Rapids side, and a trip to Philadelphia Union is their first test.

Of the recent additions, Superdraft picks Axel Sjoberg and Dominique Badji may start at center back and center forward respectively having taken those role throughout preseason. Cronin or LaBrocca, Serna or Ramirez, Harrington or Burch - it is new vs. old in almost every position. It will be intriguing to see how Mastroeni blends the incumbent and the arriving.

The Rapids are unbeaten in their four visits to PPL Park and last season scored twice in the final 11 minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw. The knack of the comeback would desert Mastroeni's men during their slide down the Conference in the latter half of the campaign. The offseason improvement in their roster is obvious, the issue is when and how will the components fit into a smooth-running machine?

THE OPPOSITION

Philadelphia Union have made significant changes themselves after finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference last season. Jim Curtin was officially named head coach in November and set about making alterations.

CJ Sapong, the 2011 Rookie of the Year, came in along with defender Steven Vitoria from Benfica and striker Fernando Aristeguieta from Nantes. Andrew Wenger and former Rapids striker Conor Casey are the other goal threats, although the latter may begin on the bench.

Like Curtin, US international Maurice Edu is starting a season with Philadelphia for the first time.

Rapids got to the final of the Desert Diamond Cup last weekend but the Union claimed the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic in Bradenton, Florida, by defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in Saturday's final.

THE QUOTES - Marcelo Sarvas

"We are ready for sure. We have approached this in the right way and we had a good preseason. The ideas are clear to everyone. Now we have to put it on the field on Saturday.

"We'll need time to get know better the guys alongside us. This will make the team move the right way. But the most important thing is that we have the mentality to win now.

"I hope the experienced players will be strong for the younger ones and we make them feel free to play their best soccer. But we need to lead the ship and make everything work the right way."

MATCH DETAILS

Kickoff: 2pm MT, PPL Park

Referee:Silviu Petrescu

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