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Smith on Burgundy & Blue, MLS roster size and the unofficial reserve league
Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith sheds some light on Metro State as an opponent, Major League Soccer’s smaller roster sizes and tonight’s Rapids roster for the Burgundy & Blue game. On second thought, maybe he doesn’t shed light on the roster. At all.
How did the selection of Metro State as an opponent come about?
It was purely through contacts within the club. After our first game (a 2-1 loss Saturday against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.), a game against ourselves would be unacceptable due to the size of the squad. We will be using lads out of the starting lineup to get a taste of a game.
Metro State coach Ken Parsons said you might not even want to play the Burgundy & Blue game because of the timing of the opener and the home opener. Is that true?
No, we look forward to this. My only concern is having the right amount of bodies to try to fill these fixtures.
Looking at the whole season, how does the smaller roster and the end of the reserve league affect the Rapids?
It affects us massively. It’s not just having no reserve team or reserve league. It’s a matter of whether those out of the first 11 can get their match practice; that is to be seen. Those lads want their fix of match play, too. As the team unfolds, we’re hopeful we can stay healthy as well. Everyone is trying to make sure MLS is properly in position to fashion a soccer presence. But they’re reducing the size of the squad, which makes it difficult to be competitive and stay healthy. We have injuries, suspensions, call-ups to national teams. And look at teams that have success, like Houston or Columbus last year or New York, to some extent. Those clubs are going to be playing in extra competitions, and I can’t help but see those teams as the ones who will be punished (because of reduced roster size).
Who will be playing for you Tuesday?
Well, I can’t give you a squad today, but it will be the lads on the bench for us against Chivas.
What do you tell your players before playing a college team?
Be realistic. This is an opportunity for these lads to test themselves in a game situation and to prepare for the next game, against Kansas. Hopefully they will treat it as a competition and put in some realistic work.
Might we see more exhibitions like this?
We have to fill the gaps with there being no reserve league games. We’ll do it with friendlies against college teams or the PDL team or our Western Conference rivals, if they’re open to the idea of maybe staying around an extra day for that.
You’re talking about an “unofficial” reserve league, then?
Yes. We have no way for these lads to get games, and that would be one way to do it.
It is great to see their reserves receiving additional playing time. The Rapids proved to have a great reserve system. Latest Soccer News
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