"We Feel Like We Should Never Lose Here": Rapids Celebrate Return to Altitude, Fans' Energy in Home Opener
March 5, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
On Saturday night, the Colorado Rapids opened their 2023 home campaign in DICK'S Sporting Goods Park against Sporting Kansas City, playing to a scoreless draw in front of loyal fans braving freezing temperatures and supplying endless amounts of energy.
Despite not securing all three points in their home opener, the support and strength from fans felt by the Rapids during a home opener is unique. For some, the experience is all about returning home, and for others, it's finding a new home.
Midfielder Cole Bassett returned to altitude for the first time since the Rapids' 2021 Thanksgiving MLS Cup playoff game on Saturday. After being loaned out to Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard in 2022, this weekend's game meant so much more than just getting back onto the pitch; it was the time to return to the stadium and fans that he grew up with as a Colorado native and Rapids Homegrown.
"The fans that toughed it out were incredible," said Bassett. "This one felt pretty special, being back home in front of these fans...it's great to be back in front of friends and family and just be able to see my parents up in the crowd, as well."
"That's a little different than in the Netherlands, you can never really look up and see anybody that you're close to. So that was special, but I wish we could have left it with three points."
Fans of the Burgundy and Blue came out to DICK'S Sporting Goods Park in droves for the match, celebrating the return to altitude with a special tifo made by Centennial 38 that paid homage to John Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Despite the near-freezing temperature, support for the Centennial State's team ran deep all game long.
While players like Bassett are experiencing a homecoming, newer members of Colorado's squad are learning that playing a full 90 minutes at altitude is an experience that'll take some getting used to.
After being acquired from Brøndby in February, Andreas Maxsø joined his teammates during the Rapids' preseason stint in Orlando and missed the chance to train at altitude in Querétaro, Mexico. The chilly temperatures might be normal for the Danish international, but playing a full game a mile above sea level is a new type of challenge.
"It was nice to be at the stadium and hear the fans, of course. I will say I could feel [the altitude's effects] in my lungs on the first sprint that I made, but I have to get used to it like all the other guys," said the center back.
While players like Maxsø are still getting acclimated to the conditions, one knows how special it is to play in Colorado than the Rapids' leader, Robin Fraser. After playing for the Colorado Foxes, then the Rapids themselves, and finally returning to take charge of his old club, the head coach understands the effect the fans have on the atmosphere and team in games like Saturday's.
"I love coaching here, I love the reaction of the fans," he said. "I've always felt like the perception around the league is that Colorado is a small team. Small stadium, not huge crowds, that sort of thing. I love our crowds. I think our crowds are so supportive of us. And the second we give them anything to get excited about they get excited and they let us know and it's great. I think it really gives us a lift."
"You talk about that 15- to 20-minute period to start the game off, they were so into it that they just kept our energy going...I said to the team tonight, when we are playing well our crowd just gives us the lift and so I love being back here. We feel like we should never lose here and part of the reason we feel like we should never lose is because our crowd gives us that energy."
Major League Soccer Stories from March 5, 2023
- Five Points: a Stroke of Genius - New York City FC
- "We Feel Like We Should Never Lose Here": Rapids Celebrate Return to Altitude, Fans' Energy in Home Opener - Colorado Rapids
- Moments of Matchday 2 - MLS
- "One of Our Better All-Around Defensive Performances" - Noonan Praises Defensive Effort in Draw against Orlando - FC Cincinnati
- Yarbrough Records 11 Saves in Rapids' Scoreless Draw with Sporting KC for Home Opener Result - Colorado Rapids
- Sounders FC Earns Second Consecutive Win to Open Season Following 2-0 Victory over Real Salt Lake - Seattle Sounders FC
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