New York City FC-Rapids Preview
The Colorado Rapids are facing an unfamiliar opponent with a familiar coach in their home opener.
New York City FC's Jason Kreis coached in Colorado numerous times in Rocky Mountain Cup matchups and has brought his expansion team to town early for this one.
The Rapids have enjoyed an excellent history in home openers ahead of Saturday's meeting with Kreis, David Villa and New York City FC.
Kreis brought New York City FC (1-0-1) to Colorado on Thursday and trained there Friday in order to get the club used to the altitude. He previously coached the Rapids' arch-rival, Real Salt Lake.
"I feel us going there a day earlier and training there, we're putting ourselves in a bit of a better place," he told New York City's official website. "It is what it is, though. Everybody has to go there and play games, so we aren't any different from any other opponent."
Colorado is 11-2-4 all-time in home openers and has not played since a season-opening scoreless draw at Philadelphia on March 7.
The Rapids are trying to re-establish Dick's Sporting Goods Park as a difficult place to play. They went 0-4-2 in their final six at home last season to fall one game shy of a franchise-worst winless streak (0-2-5) from April 22-July 3, 2011.
"I think the home games are where we need to make our stand and make Dick's a fortress," defender Shane O'Neill said. "We have the altitude on our side and I think this year we have a different mentality within the group."
O'Neill and the Rapids likely haven't faced a player as dynamic as Villa, the Spanish star who has come to MLS after an illustrious European career that includes a World Cup title. Villa scored the opening goal and assisted on the other by Patrick Mullins in a 2-0 victory over New England in the inaugural home opener for the club Sunday.
"Obviously he's a great player, with a goal and an assist at the weekend, so he's kind of the guy that makes them tick a little bit up front and in their attacking play, so (if we) limit his time and space on the ball, then everything should be good from there," midfielder Sam Cronin told the Rapids' official website.
The Rapids could have trouble containing Villa since they will have to replace two suspended defenders. Bobby Burling was sent off against the Union and James Riley was assessed a ban later on after the league reviewed the game and cited him for "serious foul play."
Colorado finished with a franchise-low two overall shots, with neither on target.
Kreis will likely again start former Salt Lake players Ned Grabavoy and Chris Wingert, who can expect to be booed by the Rapids faithful.
Another addition is Colorado native Jeb Brovsky, who has lost all three previous appearances in his home state.
"It's always a special time when I go back to Colorado," Brovsky said. "Being from there, to have those friends and family watch you on that big stage is all you can really dream of as a kid."