Photo Gallery: Rapids kicked off pre-season at the CRYSC Eddy Soccer Facility

The Burgundy Boys are back! The Colorado Rapids opened their 2018 pre-season on Tuesday indoors at the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Eddy Soccer Facility in Aurora.

From the Front Office, General Manager Pádraig Smith and Assistant General Manager Fran Taylor were there to observe and take interviews. On the coaching side, Head Coach Anthony Hudson, Assistant Coach Conor Casey, and Goalkeeper coach Chris Sharpe were present. (Editor’s Note: The rest of Hudson’s assistant coaches should be joining the team within the next week.)

Head of Sports Science Chad Kolarcik, Athletic Trainer Keith Garnett, Assistant Athletic Trainer Sean O’Neill, and Performance and Performance Analyst/Strength Coach Miguel Motolongo ran a gauntlet of fitness drills and tests. Most of the players were gassed.

Players present:

Shkëlzen Gashi, Dominique Badji, Jack McBean, Dillon Serna (very fit), Bismarck “Nana” Boateng, Michael Azira, Caleb Calvert, Sam Hamilton, Kip Colvey, Brian Iloski, Niki Jackson, Ricardo Perez, Alan Winn, Frantzdy Pierrot (huge), Kortne Ford, Eric Miller, Axel Sjoberg, Edgar Castillo, Jared Watts, Tim Howard, and Zac MacMath.

Notes:

• Gashi looked refreshed and behaved like a leader.
• Coach Hudson is a natural cheerleader. He is very fond of Edgar, and likes his pace, attacking nature, and nose for the goal.

Grid View

• The guys warming up. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Gashi came to pre-season ready to play. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Axel Sjoberg @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Tim Howard and Zac MacMath warming up. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Jack McBean, one of the newest Rapids. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Chatting after practice. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Head Coach Anthony Hudson @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Richard Fleming was excited to welcome the guys back. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Conor Casey spent some time talking to Fran Taylor. @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Edgar Castillo and Coach Hudson @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak
• Maybe he’s working on a deal for a striker??? @Photog_JohnB - John A. Babiak