Commerce City, Colo. - Mexican forward Daniel Frias and goalkeeper Alonso 'Popeye' Jimenez were among the new faces that took part in two training sessions on Tuesday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
With a few veteran players getting the day off from full-field training - including Pablo Mastroeni, Hunter Freeman, Tyrone Marshall, and Jeff Larentowicz - it became a fitting day for the coaching staff to get a better look at new faces.
As previously noted, defender Isaac Cowles and defensive minded midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan were back in the mix, as were Sam Archer and Joel Helmick, and Colombians Luis Zapata and Jefferson Angulo. For Angulo it these were his first workouts in Colorado since he joined the team in California directly from Colombia. They were joined in the morning practice by Sterling Copeland and Masaki 'Mac' Hemmi - who both trained with the Rapids at various times last year.
Also taking part were two players who recently played in Mexico with Indios de Cuidad Juárez. Forward Frias, 32, participated in the morning workout and Jimenez, 24, joined the group for the second training session. Both players were born in Ciudad Juarez, although Jimenez has lived in Texas for much of his life. (MORE ON FRIAS, KNOWN ALSO AS 'EL MALENO).
Academy midfielder Dillon Serna and MLS pool goalkeeper Chris Sharpe also returned to training, neither having traveled to California.
Coach Oscar Pareja told ColoradoRapids.com that there might be additional players coming on trial in the next few days.
