As much as the Colorado Rapids are focused on staying fit and technically sharp during the 2020 MLS season suspension, head coach Robin Fraser is also paying mind to the mental aspect.
Boredom while social distancing on account of the COVID-19 pandemic is only natural, so they’ve started a program that looks at another aspect of life without soccer.
“We’ve given them the opportunity to meet with someone and talk about things,” Fraser said in a recent Altitude Sports Social interview. “Basically, it’s an outlet for them to express some of their interests. It could be things that they’re struggling with. It could be things that they want to expand their thoughts on, things that they just want to explore.”
Players on Colorado’s roster range in age from 17-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez to 36-year-old veteran defender Drew Moor. That speaks to their different social needs and living situations, all while staying ready for the season’s eventual return.
There’s still team unity being forged, though, according to Fraser. The coaching staff has broken down video from their wins over Orlando City and D.C. United, and even turned back to 2019.
“You go through, you’ve got basically two games,” Fraser said. “After that, you’re really trying to find a needle in a haystack in terms of something that will promote conversation or provoke thought. Then you go back to preseason games. For this week, I’ve even gone back to a game last season.”
The goal, Fraser said, is to keep everyone tactically on the same page and not return to square one. He expects a weeks-long preseason when the go-ahead for 2020 arrives, which could offer a release of sorts.
Fraser, hired last August after interim coach Conor Casey steadied the ship, harkened back to his playing days for what the adjustment period could provide.
“When you get on the field, no matter what else is going on in the world, when training starts, when games start – this is something I remember as a player – you literally forget about everything else,” Fraser said. “You just are in your element and you play and you train."
