The past week has seen Colorado's newest signings, DP striker Rafael Navarro and midfielder Sidnei Tavares, make their MLS debuts and the Rapids fall on the road to LAFC. On Monday, we spoke with Rapids Head Coach Robin Fraser and left back Andrew Gutman ahead of their clash with Minnesota United for the Rapids' second midweek contest in as many weeks.
On Navarro and Tavares' Rapids debuts
RF: I think really well. Rafa and Sidnei are obviously the newest members, both have settled in really well, they're getting on well with their teammates, they're understanding that what we want is growing day by day and they both have attributes that for sure are going to help us.
AG: I think it's it's tough when you join a new team but also when you come to a new country. There's a little bit of an adaptation period that both of them need to go through but from what I've seen so far, I think they have a lot of potential, I think they can they can help the team and they just got to keep working and we've got to help integrate them as quick as possible.
How has your own acclimation process been in the past two months?Â
AG: I think it's been good; day by day I'm getting more comfortable, I'm learning everyone's tendencies, I'm understanding the game plan and the system a little bit better. Every day I just hope that I feel more and more comfortable and things get easier for me.
On MNUFC as a tough competitor
RF: They're a good team, they're really talented team and for me, [Emanuel] Reynoso's of the best players in the entire league. So we know that they're really threatening and they have other players who are threatening, so for us it's about making sure that A. we're good with the ball, and B. that we find ways to hurt them. But then obviously also it's containing some of their really high-powered attacking talent.
AG: I think at this point in the season, every every game has to be three points. We can't go into a game thinking we want to tie or get out of there with the result. For me it's three points or nothing because we only have a certain amount of games left to get into playoffs. So we've got to make them count.
Tune into MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Wednesday at 6:30 PM MT as the Burgundy Boys take on the Loons.
