Ahead of Colorado’s return to MLS play following two weeks of Leagues Cup, we sat down to chat with color commentator Kacey White. The Colorado-born broadcaster has been around the sport for decades, starting her senior playing career back in 2005 and extending all the way to her coaching career as of late. Most recently, White has been calling matches and will be on the call for Sunday’s match in Minnesota on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
You just saw the Rapids play on Thursday against Cruz Azul, what were your thoughts of the squad?
One of the things that I always think is a great sign is when you start with an early goal. That was critical yesterday for the confidence of the team that was out there with a high press, getting the turnover, getting that going right away, although it immediately woke Cruz Azul up a little bit. But I think any time that you have these changes going on, and different players going in, some younger players or players that don't have as many starts, as a coaching staff, you want them to feel that confidence. So, getting that early goal, I thought, was really critical.
The Rapids played a lot of younger talent on Thursday, what did you see from them and what excited you?
That's a really good question. I think for me, in the game yesterday, one of the things that I liked to see was Noah Cobb being able to get some minutes. I think in a center back role, it's always hard to find times as a coaching staff to put someone into a back line. That is because a lot of times there isn't an opportunity and a lot of times back lines aren't substituted as much. So, to get someone like him to be able to have those minutes alongside someone like Andreas Maxsø, who to be able to work in different types of pairings, I think that's always great. Obviously, Nico Hansen was amazing. I mean, I have to point him out, but that was incredible last night, and anyone who was watching the broadcast would know I feel that way because I absolutely loved his performance. For me, if we could have given out dual ‘players of the match’, Hansen was the other one. I thought Hansen stepped up really big, and having someone that has a moment like that, to be able to build their confidence, to show that composure in those big moments, I think, is great for the club.
You have been part of many teams in your career, what is it like during a period of roster turnover with new players coming in to try to maintain and continue success?
I think one of the big things is that you have to marry a couple principles. When things like this happen, your identity and the way your club operates, the philosophy from an internal perspective has to be strong. You have to, when new players come in, communicate that these are these are our team philosophies. That's what's happening in these transfer windows to try to find players that can fit into that. But also, you marry that with the understanding that players are individuals, and everyone has different personalities on the field or off the field and that's what makes football so great. Teams that I've been a part of have been successful in those moments where you bring players in mid-season, or you lose players, or whatever the case may be. You stick by your identity, but you understand that there has to be some flexibility with new players coming in, of what your role might be as a as a player, how that might evolve, how that might change, and then always keeping the team at the focus. The teams that do that are the ones that can maintain success and use it potentially even to propel them forward.
What Rapids players or position groups do you see having an added impact in this match against Minnesota?
I think there are a couple things on both sides of the ball. I think that the holding midfielders of the Rapids have to have a good game. Anytime you play against a team that is strong in their identity, that looks to counterattack, you're holding midfielders have a very, very strong role to play. Whether it's covering ground or keeping the lines compact. So, I think stepping up in that role, like Cole Bassett, players along those lines, I think will have to have a very big game. I expect the Rapids to have the majority of possession, not that they need to. We saw last night that they were able to defend a very good Cruz Azul team. And yes, Cruz Azul ended up finding goals, but the ability for the Rapids to keep the ball and to circulate the ball, I think, is something that they can have an advantage in and have more of the possession piece on Sunday, potentially.
How do you see Sunday’s match playing out?
For this game, efficiency is going to be my word. Efficiency in the final third and then defensive box organization. So, Minnesota United is good on set pieces, they generate a lot of set pieces that are efficient in the final third. The Colorado Rapids have efficiency in the final third. Obviously, Rafael Navarro is a big part of that piece. So, I really do believe that, instead of more of a tactical chess match, this match is going to be about who does the most with the opportunities they create. It sounds like, ‘Yeah, Kacey, of course, you have to be efficient,’ but there are games, last night as an example, where Cruz Azul had 30 shots, but they weren't necessarily efficient, or Hansen just came up big. So for me, you can have a lot of chance creation and not be efficient. If there's not going to be loads of chance creation, I think that it's about doing the most with those opportunities. I think that could be a real catalyst for either team.
