The Colorado Rapids are set to begin the second leg of their preseason preparations this week with a four-day trip to California, starting Tuesday.
The warmer weather will be a tonic for the players, who suffered through Arctic cold again in Denver last Friday. Head coach Gary Smith opted to cancel Friday afternoon’s session as the thermometer dipped well below freezing.
“I think the players are looking forward to getting away to some warmer weather and some grass again,” Smith told MLSsoccer.com.
The MLS Cup champions are scheduled to play the San Jose Earthquakes as well as two reserve games. Ironically, forecasts say it could well be warmer in the Denver area for the first part of this week than in San Luis Obispo, Calif., where the Rapids will play on Friday.
One player not likely to play any significant part in the Californian trip is Ian Joyce. The backup goalkeeper fractured his toe in the preseason game against the LA Galaxy during the recent trip to Arizona.
Joyce was practicing at the Rapids’ training ground last week but is unable to kick a ball properly. Smith said he would be out from any game action for two to four weeks.
[inline_node:329310]There are some other more minor injury concerns.
Strikers Omar Cummings and Conor Casey are both sore but are expected to play a role in California. SuperDraft pick Eddie Ababio is making a good recovery from severe blood blisters and trained hard all last week.
Club captain Pablo Mastroeni, who didn’t play at all in Arizona because of a tight quadriceps, is expected to see some game action this week.
“Pablo’s fine,” Smith said. “He’s had a really good week’s training and we are pleased, obviously, to get him back in the fold. He is almost certain to play.”
The Rapids also have a (nearly) new face in camp: Josh Janniere, a wide midfielder currently involved with Toronto FC's academy. The 18-year-old has already been with the Rapids once before this preseason and he trained with the club all last week.
“We hope to take him to California and then see what we can confirm from then on,” Smith said.
As the Rapids head West, the front office will try to secure the signing of Hull City forward Caleb Folan. The Irish international impressed while on trial in Arizona, and both Smith and the EPL club said a deal is likely to be struck early this week.
“A lot of hard work will have gone into it if we can get it finalized,” Smith said. “It would be a great addition to have a player of Caleb’s caliber in the MLS.”
Once the Rapids return to Colorado, it will be a quick turnaround for them as they fly off to the Pacific Northwest for preseason games against the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 8-13.
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