For a professional sports team photographer, time can fly by. Each event often rendered a blur. A favorite photo easily forgotten. As we continue to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2010 MLS Cup win, we tasked our resident photographer, Garrett Ellwood, to name his favorite photos from his time around the team during the historic win. He mentioned there were too many to chose from, but he was able to select ten stunning frames that will be forever linked to 2010 season. Also a longtime photographer for the NBA, Ellwood's images encompass the people and emotional moments that make our club and sport so unique.
Garrett Ellwood's Top-10 Photos of 2010
10. Pablo with the Cup
Garrett says: "I love the energy of this photo. Pablo was the captain and the heart and soul of that team and I thought this was a great moment of him sharing the Cup with the city."
9. Supporter Rally in Denver
Garrett says: "This was a shot of the team at an event in downtown Denver with the Governor Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper at the time. It still had not sunk in yet for me and it was a surreal feeling that the Rapids were MLS champs."
8. Raise the Flag
Garrett says: "This is a shot of the Capitol building. The Rapids flag was put on the Capitol and city buildings after bringing the cup back to Colorado."
7. Hold On
Garrett says: "This was on the charter home. I loved how Kosuke was still holding on to the cup even while sleeping."
6. Drink Up
Garrett says: "The sweet taste of victory for hometown hero Conor Casey."
5. Pure Joy
Garrett says: "Nothing beats a winning locker room and this was one of the best. Really hard to keep everything dry during these moments, lots of blind shots and Hail Mary’s just hoping to catch a moment."
4. Sacrifice
Garrett says: "Macoumba Kandji scored the winning goal in extra time. Officially it was counted as an own goal by FC Dallas but we all knew it was Kandji’s. Not only did he not get credit for the goal but he also torn his ACL on the play. This is a shot of him being carried into the locker room because he couldn’t even walk."
3. The Shot
Garrett says: "I remember preparing for this shot, holding my camera and praying that the TV crew would get out of the way in time. Knowing that this would be the most important photo in club history, I was just hoping that I would get a clear view of it. I squeezed the trigger on my camera as Pablo raised the cup and of the 10-15 photo sequence this one jumped out immediately as 'The Shot'."
2. Conor’s Equalizer
Garrett says: "I believe Jamie Smith fired a shot on goal and the ball came loose in front. Conor was on the ground and managed to reach it first and poke it in for the equalizer at 1-1 in the 57th minute. I love the reaction of the ball boy in the background as the balls slips over the line."
1. Catching Some ZZZ’s
Garrett says: "Two guys sleeping might not be the most exciting photo but for me it summed up the confidence of that 2010 team. They were on such a hot streak through the playoffs, this scene just made me laugh when I walked through the locker room prior to the game...The biggest game in club history awaits and Conor and Omar were snoozing."
