Colorado Rapids | Camp Check-In: Expectations Sky High | Pres. Visit Tucson

The first week of the 2018 preseason has come to a close…

The Rapids have officially wrapped up an action-packed first week. The players returned to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Monday, January 22 to undergo physical and medical testing as well as meetings with the technical staff. 

On Tuesday, once they were given the all clear, the guys took the pitch for their first training session, including the infamous beep test, at the CRYSC facility ‘The Eddy’ in Aurora.

Rapids newcomer Edgar Castilloreceived a warm welcome from USMNT teammate Tim Howard upon arrival.

Other fresh faces that have already joined the team include Kip Colvey, Jack McBean and draftees Alan Winnand Frantzdy Pierrot.

“There’s a lot of new faces and a lot of new concepts going around with the coaching staff. It’s exciting,” said newcomer Kip Colvey. “Everyone is looking forward to preseason and getting started with CONCACAF.”

After wrapping up a chilly training session at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday, the team headed straight to Denver International Airport where they boarded a flight to a much warmer climate – Arizona. The squad kicked off their first training camp in Casa Grande an hour northwest of Tucson. The team has been undergoing double-day training sessions focused on fitness ahead of their first preseason match against MLS side Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday. 

Head coach Anthony Hudson has made it clear that camp in Casa Grande is crucial to success early in the campaign.

“Preseason is such a vital part in preparing the team and its players. This is the time we have to get the environment right, the standards right, the expectations right, build the team spirit and build the cohesion in the group. The only way to do that is hitting things head on incredibly hard with a plan with everyone pulling in the same direction,” Hudson said.

“The mentality has changed completely," said Shkëlzen Gashi. "We give 100% every training session."

The Rapids will train twice on Monday and twice again Tuesday before facing Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday at 11 AM in Casa Grande. They will return to training Thursday and Friday in preparation for a Saturday friendly against MLS side Sporting Kansas City in Scottsdale. Check out the entire preseason schedule here!