COMMERCE CITY — The Coloeado Rapids on Monday traveled to Tucson, where they will play four matches against MLS competition over the next two weeks in the Desert Diamond Cup.
Colorado plays Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, the New England Revolution on Saturday, New York City FC on Feb. 22 and a final game Feb. 25 against a yet-to-be-determined MLS opponent.
"Whether we win games or lose games, we want to get fitness from it. You want to feel personally that you got through 90 minutes at some stage and feel fit and strong," Rapids striker Kevin Doyle said of the trip to Tucson. He added the team would like to put some of the shape and organization it has worked on this preseason into action.
The Rapids open the season March 4 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park against New England.
Howard update
Goalkeeper Tim Howard continues to rehab from a groin injury that ended his 2016 season. He went to Memphis, Tenn., over the weekend to have his progress re-evaluated.
"As we get to Tucson, the next phase of his recovery is going to be a little bit more intense," Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "Again, there's no pressure on him to be ready for the first game of the season. Having said that, he's made some really good progress."
Mastroeni said Howard has progressed to diving and passing the ball about 20 yards, which he has felt good with.
"It's all about gradual improvements and doing so at a level he feels comfortable with," Mastroeni said.
Gashi's Achilles
Rapids 2016 Golden Boot winner Shkelzen Gashi has been dealing with some inflammation in his Achilles tendon, Mastroeni said Sunday. Gashi was jogging off to the side during the Rapids' training session on the turf fields at DSG Park.
"We sat down and came up with a good 2½-week plan where we can continue to build his fitness while not stressing the inflammation in his Achilles," Mastroeni said.
Mastroeni said the Achilles issue was something Gashi dealt with last season, and the goal this preseason is to strengthen Gashi's Achilles so it doesn't become an issue he is dealing with for the next 10 months.
Notable
The Rapids said midfielder Bismark "Nana" Adjei-Boateng's P1 visa paperwork has been approved, and he arrived in Denver late Sunday. He will travel with the club to Tucson. ... Jun Marques Davison, who tried out for the Rapids, left the club after the trip to Los Angeles. He has rejoined the Charlotte Independence. ... Rapids fourth-round draft pick Peguy Ngatcha is no longer with the club. ... The Rapids' two homegrown signings, Kortne Ford and Ricardo Perez, and remaining unsigned draft picks Sam Hamilton, Liam Callahan and Jamie Siaj were in Florida over the weekend for an MLS rookie symposium. They're expected to be with the team at the Desert Diamond Cup.
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