After dropping a result against Minnesota United earlier in the week, the Rapids are turning a page and setting sights on this weekend's contest with Real Salt Lake, Colorado's fiercest rivals. On Friday, we spoke with Rapids Head Coach Robin Fraser and defender Andreas Maxsø about the second of three matchups in the Rocky Mountain Cup and the team's outlook going into the rivalry game.
On the team's mentality during the difficult stretch
AM: We know we are in a difficult period right now. But the last thing we can do is give up--that's not an option. I think we showed it in the second half [of the match with Minnesota United]. And we we need to bring it further, and a derby game is a really important game. And we have to be ready from the first second, no excuses anymore. We have to be ready.
On what a positive result in a rivalry game can mean for the team's outlook and fans' perspective of the rest of the season
RF: [After Minnesota] we talked about the significance for the club, for the supporters and that we need to approach the RSL game as we did the Minnesota game, especially how we executed in the second half with that sort of energy. We know that RSL is a very good team, we know that they're a tough team at home, but there will be no shortage of reminders as to the importance of this game and the Rocky Mountain Cup to our club.
AM: I think right now it's important just to take one day at a time, have some good trainings, and then of course have some good games. The game tomorrow is really important, and it's important that we are ready and play with confidence. We are a good team and we have to show it.
On how he's seen a rivalry game change the attitude of the locker room in a tough stretch of the season
RF: We saw it a couple years ago when we lost the first game 4-1 and ended up winning 5-0 there and won the Rocky Mountain Cup, and to be quite frank, I was amazed at how important that was and since then I've certainly gotten on board for that. It's a big thing for us, a big thing for the club, a big thing for supporters. Prior to that game, it was just about 'We need to win games, we need to make playoffs, we need to execute, we need to be better,' but when I saw the reaction to winning the Rocky Mountain Cup, it's been of the utmost importance ever since. Obviously we were extremely disappointed to drop the game at home this year, and we feel like we have a big mountain to climb, given the quality of their team, but it's a challenge that we not only know is there but one we have to embrace.
On how RSL's attitude can impact the Rapids' approach to the match
AM: I don't focus on them, to be honest, I focus on our game. So they can play with the players they have, it doesn't matter. We need to show character and we need to be a better team.
