
Rapids Look to Reap the Benefits of Team Chemistry in 2021
April 15, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
AfterÃÂ a 2019 that saw the team finishÃÂ as theÃÂ third-highest goal scorers in MLSÃÂ andÃÂ thenÃÂ qualifying for a playoff spot in 2020,ÃÂ it comesÃÂ asÃÂ littleÃÂ surprise that Executive VP & General ManagerÃÂ PádraigÃÂ Smith and his staff decided to bring back theÃÂ core group of players that haveÃÂ led the club's continued growth over the last few seasons.
In fact, the RapidsÃÂ areÃÂ returningÃÂ over 96 percent of their minutes earned from 2020, the most in the league.
"It's huge," Rapids captain Jack Price said during preseason. "I like the fact that the boys that did well for us last season are here again, the core group."
The Rapids return all but one goal-scorer from last season, which saw Colorado finish sixth in MLS with 1.78 goals per game. With almost everyone coming back and a few key additions up front, Colorado's attack looks primed to stay among the best in MLS.
"We've added some real quality. Michael Barrios is going to be a huge threat for us going forward, and the young boys, the Homegrowns, they look good. They've settled in well," Price said. "It's good competition for us older boys. We're getting older, so it's nice to have that competition with the young players, the cheekiness they have. They bring that bit of fight."
Among those younger players are long-time Rapids Academy star Oliver Larraz, who signed Homegrown Player contract in March, and a pair of 16-year-old wingers from the U.S. U-17 MNT, Darren Yapi and Yaya Toure, raw talents that will gain valuable professional experience with the First Team and look to be the latest set of teenagers to take the pitch in Burgundy.
"I think that's something that Pádraig has done a really good job of over the last two years," Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said Wednesday during a media availability. "Bringing in young talent, bringing in veteran MLS players who've had success and have championships and players who've come from oversees who've had different experiences. The ability to bring all these together, couple them with good young players, has really helped form a team that functions as a team.
"We are still a work in progress as a team. Each role carries its own responsibilities and we're looking for the players to come in, to understand and embrace what they're responsibilities are and really give us a lift through what their special abilities are. It's just a matter of getting integrated into the system, getting familiar with the players, understanding the tendencies of the players and then allowing their own special qualities to come out. So far it's been good."
The addition of Barrios, though, is particularly inspiring. During preseason in Arizona, the Colombian showed all the skills that made him one of MLS' most feared wingers since entering the league in 2015. He also showed he was settling in nicely, scoring a goal and assist in his first 45 unofficial minutes with the squad.
"He's been great. Everything we had heard about him has turned out to be exactly that and even more so. He is a wonderful guy, quiet, respectful, and works really hard," Fraser said of Barrios. "The pace is what everyone else sees, but when you have him day in, day out you see how intelligent he is and how good his decisions are. We couldn't be more excited about having him."
Then there are Cole Bassett and Sam Vines, another Homegrown duo from the Rapids Academy. The two were integral to Colorado's success in 2020 ¬â¢Bassett was Colorado's joint leading scorer with five goals and five assists, while Vines played every regular-season minute and added a goal and three assists. Each performed well on USMNT duty during the offseason and are looking to take the next step in their careers.
"I just want to see continued growth and improvement. They've both come a long way in the last year or so, but they've also both just scratched the surface of where they can be," Fraser said. "It's the willingness to work day-to-day to improve, which is a constant with those two in particular. Their work ethic is incredible and their ability to learn and to adapt is improving.
"This is a young hungry group. They're always excited to play, they've really come back with a great attitude based on how we finished last year and they've really put in a lot of work in the preseason. It's a group that I appreciate greatly because they do everything that you ask them to do and try to do it to the best of their ability. They've put in a good six weeks at this point and they're excited to get going."
Major League Soccer Stories from April 15, 2021
- Charlotte FC Players React to Bank of America Stadium Renovation Plans - Charlotte FC
- Denver to Host First-Ever Concacaf Nations League Finals in June 2021 - Colorado Rapids
- Come to Our Pre-Match Party Saturday at Hard Rock Café Downtown: Nashville SC - Nashville SC
- Nashville Soccer Club Announces Partnership with Daktronics in First Nashville SC Stadium Event - Nashville SC
- LAFC Teams up with 710 Am ESPN and KFWB 980 La Mera Mera for 2021 Radio Broadcasts - Los Angeles FC
- Three Points: Houston Dynamo FC Open MLS Regular Season against San Jose Earthquakes - Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Cincinnati Announce Star64, IHeartRadio as Local Broadcast Partners - FC Cincinnati
- FC Dallas Announces Policies and Procedures for Toyota Stadium to Start 2021 Season - FC Dallas
- Rapids Look to Reap the Benefits of Team Chemistry in 2021 - Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew SC Hosts Real Esteli FC Tomorrow in Second Leg of 2021 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 - Columbus Crew SC
- Arlo White, Tony Meola & Tyler Terens Headline Chicago Fire FC's 2021 Broadcast Team - Chicago Fire FC
- Atlanta United Signs SuperDraft Pick Josh Bauer - Atlanta United FC
- Week 1 News & Notes - MLS
- Sporting KC Signs Goalkeeper Parker Siegfried on Loan - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas Announces Partnership with Gallagher - FC Dallas
- J. Rieger & Co. Announces Sporting KC Whiskey Label - Sporting Kansas City
- Red Bull Arena Receives Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR Accreditation - New York Red Bulls
- CF Montréal to Kick off Season Saturday against Toronto FC - Club de Foot Montreal
- Sounders FC Loans Midfielder Shandon Hopeau to San Antonio FC - Seattle Sounders FC
- Patrick Seagrist Joins Indy Eleven on Loan - Inter Miami CF
- Nissan Stadium Transitions to Cashless Payment for All Future Events - Nashville SC
- New York City FC Signs 2021 MLS SuperDraft Pick Vuk Latinovich - New York City FC
- Minnesota United Announces Technical Staff Hires - Minnesota United FC
- Houston Dynamo Football Club & Lexus Partner to Drive Luxury Fan Experiences at BBVA Stadium - Houston Dynamo FC
- WSOC-TV, TV64 & Telemundo Charlotte Announce First-Ever Television Partnership with Charlotte Football Club - Charlotte FC
- Sergio Ruiz: "I'm Happy and Playing with Confidence" - Charlotte FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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