After a period of immense turmoil under previous management, Saturday night’s kickoff will represent a milestone of stability for Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser.
When the Rapids (0-3-3, 3 points) play in “Blue Hell” against Sporting Kansas City at 6:30 p.m. MST at Children’s Mercy Park on Apple TV, it will mark Fraser’s 100th regular-season game in charge of Colorado.
Fraser (41-31-27, 150 points in Colorado), has called the Mile High City home since the 1990s when he first played for the Foxes. Since returning to Denver, given the resources, few coaches have accomplished more with less, which has resulted in a step up in stature.
A player-first manager, he’ll back his team’s ability to get points no matter how overmatched they may seem on paper with the right tactical ingenuity and a favorite “Fraserism” — consistency.
“I’ve enjoyed playing under Robin so much, and he’s obviously a very experienced player. I’ve been fortunate to play under a few former players now and I think that always gives their messagings a little bit more validity and punch because they’ve done it and have been in your shoes,” Defender Keegan Rosenberry said last weekend. “Robin’s messaging is so clear and transparent. He’s so clear with what he wants and how he wants it to be done. So yes, I put a lot of value into what he says and I think everybody does to the best of their abilities, try to execute those tactics and game plans.”
When asked, Fraser had no idea he was at the century mark.
“I just found that out five seconds ago. I was like ‘wow, I am getting old.’” Fraser joked in his pre-match availability. “How it really makes me feel is proud. This is a group of guys that have worked extremely hard since I’ve been here. We’ve had more good times than not since I’ve arrived here and it comes down to these guys who’ve worked incredibly hard and done everything we’ve asked them to.”
Rapids, Northern Colorado secure Open Cup date
On Friday, U.S. Soccer confirmed the time and date for the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in which the Rapids will face off against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in a first-ever official meeting.
The teams will meet Wednesday, April 26th at 5:30 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with the possibility of the time changing later in the evening to account for attendance and traffic.
Hailstorm FC, which plays in USL League One or the third tier of American soccer, will look to continue its dream run as regional giant killers versus favored oppositions since its launch in 2022, while the Rapids are looking to avoid another disappointment in the tournament.
The teams have played each other twice in pre-season, as Rapids 2 has faced off against Northern Colorado in each of the last two seasons, but the teams will meet formally later this month.
Colorado has not won a game in any knockout competition — Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions League or MLS Cup playoffs — since 2017. Meanwhile, they will face off against a red-hot team in Hailstorm, which knocked off Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the second successive season on Wednesday in another “cupset.” Last year, Hailstorm stunned Real Salt Lake in the same round before bowing out to Union Omaha in the Fourth Round.
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