FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Many players in Cory Gibbs' shoes would treat this two-game road trip as a chance to make a statement. But Gibbs himself does not.
“I've always taken things in stride,” Gibbs told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. “I've played in Europe and stuff like that, and it's just another game, to be honest with you. It's not something I'm looking more forward to than less [forward to]. It'll be a good, challenging game.”
The former US National Team defender is set to face both of his former MLS sides in the span of five days as the New England Revolution swing through Colorado (Saturday) and Dallas (Wednesday).
Gibbs played for FCD during the 2004 season and for the Rapids from 2008-09 before he and Preston Burpo were traded in the offseason for Jeff Larentowicz, Wells Thompson, allocation money and a draft pick.
That’s why Revs head coach Steve Nicol isn’t buying Gibbs assessment of the game.
“We're all the same,” Nicol said. “Whenever you've played somewhere and you're going back, you want to do well.”
Though he did captain the Revs in a 2-1 home defeat to the Rapids on April 24, Saturday’s match would be the first time Gibbs returned to Dick's Sporting Goods Park since his departure. And Gibbs is happy to be back.
“The great thing is that they have a great pitch,” Gibbs said. “That's what I look forward to. It's going to be a big pitch, so we'll be able to move the ball if we can keep it. That's the most exciting part, to be honest.”
