Even with weekend off Oscar Pareja wants team to keep foot on the pedal

training on June 4, 2013

The Colorado Rapids don't have a League game next weekend, but that doesn't mean the team will be sitting idle.


The group was back out on the training field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Tuesday, unsure yet which players will travel to Harrisburg for Saturday's Reserve League re-match against the City Islanders.


"When we talked with them this morning, the first thing we addressed was the intention to keep going and not take the foot off the pedal," coach Oscar Pareja said after training. "We still want to use the week to re-gen some players that have been playing a lot, but I think the approach has to be the same. "


STANDINGS: Rapids tied with LA Galaxy in Western Conference at 20 points

The Rapids are coming off a 2-2 home draw with FC Dallas, which extended their unbeaten streak to six games. The team has a 5-1-4 record over the last 10 matches and will next host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, June 15.


"I'm trying not to let them relax too much because this is our job and the boys know that," Pareja added. "But there's always something mental there. They know it's a week they can use to recover from some injuries and re-gen some muscles, but the other group is pushing and getting ready for the Reserve game in Harrisburg."


Pareja has not decided which players will travel to Pennsylvania. Everyone will practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Those that will play in the Reserve League match will train Friday in Commerce City before departing in the afternoon, while the rest of the group is expected to rest on Friday and Saturday.


The Reserve game on Saturday at Harrisburg will kick off at 5 p.m. MT and will be shown live on USLnation.com. The Islanders won the meeting in Colorado 2-1 back on April 20.