The Rapids wrapped up the first week of training with an intra-squad scrimmage on Friday morning. The players then were off until Sunday, when they'll depart for Tucson, Ariz. to play three preseason matches next week.
"I think the coaching staff is happy with where we are right now, and I know the players certainly are," defender Drew Moor told ColoradoRapids.com following Friday's session. "It's always tough after an offseason to come back on the turf and go through two-a-days, but if the scrimmage was any indication, we're in a good spot right now."
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The team will spend next week in Tucson participating in the Desert Friendlies, a preseason tournament presented by FC Tucson. The Rapids will face the Portland Timbers on Tue., Jan. 29 (11 am MT), the Houston Dynamo on Thurs., Jan. 31 (6 pm MT), and the San Jose Earthquakes on Sat., Feb. 2 (11 MT). (BUY TICKETS HERE)
"I think we all look forward to the games against other teams more than anything," Moor said. "It's important that we're still building to the opening game of the season in Dallas. That's where our mindset is ulimately. Right now we're getting ourselves back into playing shape, into match fitness, and we'll have some good tests in Arizona right away."
With less than five weeks from the first match at FC Dallas on March 2, Moor says the Arizona portion of preseason will also get the competitive juices flowing.
"I think that will be a good trip and a very good indication of where we are," he said. "And, we want to be positive, we want to go to win games."
