I heard baseball spring training has started for pitchers and catchers, but Major League Soccer's preseason has reached the point of actual competition.
The Colorado Rapids participate in an annual preseason tournament in Tuscon called the Desert Diamond Cup, preceded by a couple of friendly matches -- one of which is a Colorado match today at 11 a.m. against Sporting KC.
The game will have no implications, of course, on the regular season, but the friendlies in Tuscon are the yearly reminder that the burgundy boys' season is nearly at hand. Coming off their best year in a long while, with a second-place finish and some riveting playoff soccer, that's cause enough for a quick glance at the livestream while the boss isn't looking.
The game will likely be another chance to see University of Denver product Sam Hamilton, a midfielder drafted by the Rapids in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft.
Here's who the Rapids trotted out in a friendly against Ventura County Fusion last week:
First Half Lineup: Zac MacMath, Dennis Castillo, Jared Watts, Bobby Burling, Marc Burch, Micheal Azira, Richi Perez, Dillon Powers, Peguy Ngatcha, Dominique Badji, Kevin Doyle.
Second Half Lineup: Cody Mizell, Eric Miller, Kortne Ford, Jun Davidson, Mekeil Williams, Sam Cronin, Sam Hamilton, Jaime Siaj, Marlon Hairston, Liam Callahan, Caleb Calvert.
Offseason notes: The Rapids have added midfielder Bismark “Nana” Adjei-Boateng and forward Alan Gordon.
