After a weekend off from regular-season play due to the international break, the Rapids face a full week of training with interim head coach Chris Little in preparation for their matchup with New England Revolution at home this weekend. On Tuesday, we spoke with Little and defender Keegan Rosenberry about the transition moment the club finds itself in, the new addition of Luis Díaz on the wing, and thoughts on a busy September schedule.
On leadership under Chris Little in the past last week, thoughts heading into final stretch of season
KR: Training's been good, Chris has done a really good job. It's not an easy position to be put in, the interim tag is always a challenge. No one really knows what the future looks like. But I think it shows Chris's professionalism in that he took it in stride. We've had meetings, we've come together, we feel like we're in a good place considering how the year's gone. Looking forward to being back in our home building and getting a result after the break.
On the team getting a week to rest due to the FIFA international window
CL: It's been a good period for the group in terms of they were able to get three days off mentally, as much as physically. We're able to get a good break, guys were able to get away. Obviously, last week was quite emotional, and I thought the response of the players has been fantastic. They've worked really hard. The intensity of training has been as we expected, and what we've looked for. The energy levels and application has been really good. So this little break comes at a good time, especially we're going in now to play seven games in 22 days, so we're going into a very busy period. This two-week training period has allowed us to prepare for that.
KR: With everything that's happened I think [it was a] good time to reset, hopefully get some legs back and just get some guys healthy, get people on the field and come with all the energy. At this point we just need to show up, be positive and reward the supporters. They've been so good all year, and and we obviously have not, so I think the least we can do is finish strong and give these people something to be proud about these last couple home games.
On first impressions from Luis Díaz after being aquired last week
CL: It's been been good to get Luis integrated with the group. Good energy, good smile, seems to have acclimatized with the team really well. He's been integrated back into the team and into what we're doing. So from what we've seen so far, [it's] has been really positive and we look forward to see as he integrates further and further with his physical development with the group with what he can bring, but first impressions [have] been really positive.
KR: We're excited about the signing and adding another player of quality, no matter how he contributes to the team, how he contributes to what we're doing on the field, he's going to be helpful at this point in the year. Everybody needs either a guy that can come on or a guy that can fill a position when somebody's injured or a guy starting, so we're excited about him featuring for us and what he can bring and how he can help us. [He's] obviously an explosive player, a lot of attacking qualities, and I didn't enjoy going against him whenever we played him in the past so hopefully he can help us now and be a positive impact.
On the first match with New England and both teams facing a transition stage toward end of season
CL: I think the energy and our focus right now is on us. We know about New England, we know they're an experienced team, I thought that they were very good in their last game away in Minnesota. They were well organized, they were really effective in transition, so they're a good team. So we expect a good test, but really our focus this week is really getting back to us. What do we want to see, what's the identity, the energy we want to bring? And we know it'll be a very difficult test for New England.
KR: Both clubs are in an interesting transition moment but we know the attacking quality that New England has, [it's] always a challenge to stop them, stop the quality players that they have on the ball. I think if we could do that and we get back to the form that we've been in this building in the past years I think we'll be fine, so if we limit their impact players, limit the amount of time that they're on the ball looking forward we'll give ourselves good chances and and we like our chances.
