Anthony Hudson Fan Q&A | Live | Colorado Rapids | Toyota | Dec...Thank you to everyone who sent your questions over to the boss! Is it 2018 yet?
Posted by Colorado Rapids Soccer Club on Friday, December 1, 2017
New Colorado Rapids manager Anthony Hudson dropped a few hints to what he wants his team to look like in 2018 in a Facebook Q&A on Friday.
The former New Zealand manager, who was named Colorado head coach on Wednesday, repeatedly said in the Q&A that he prefers to play with two strikers and with wingbacks. He employed both in the 5-3-2 formation he used for most of his tenure with New Zealand.
The setup would bring a new look to the Rapids, who have primarily used a 4-2-3-1 for the past several seasons.
“In terms of how I want to play, I always really want to play with two strikers and I think that’s a big focus,” Hudson said. “I love playing with wingbacks, and to do that well, again, it comes back to the mentality and the character. Not just pace and quality and technical ability, but in terms of the character of being aggressive and wanting to get forward and create things and be positive. And so those are the important things, the key positions and then obviously in the midfield we need to add, as well.”
Hudson said that the Rapids will look to add a striker this offseason, but hinted that they may already have a legitimate wingback option on their roster in Marlon Hairston. The 23-year-old has spent time at right back and right wing during his four-year career, and Hudson hinted that he thinks he has the qualities to be a successful wingback in MLS. Hairston had three goals and four assists in 34 regular season appearances in 2017.
“I really like Marlon, he’s a player I’m really excited to work with. I want to try and help him become the best player he can possibly can be, because I really believe in him.”
“He has the quality and the pace and the personality really to fit the position what I’m after on that side of the pitch,” he added later. “I’m really excited to work with him he really suits how I want to play.”
