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Blog Entry 3 of 7 Colorado Rapids
My name is Stephen Keel and I am a defender for the Colorado Rapids. I am currently going into my third year with the team. This blog will give you, the fans, an inside look from a players perspective of the the activities and things that go on with the Colorado Rapids throughout the year.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~StephenKeel

Rapids wrap up Mexico tour

Contributed by: Stephen Keel   on 2/27/2007

Greetings to all,

I hope everyone is doing well. We are doing great down here, that could be because we are going back home tomorrow!

For the past two days we have been training at Cruz Azul's training center. This place is amazing. It is like a gated community. They have three great fields that are groomed daily, a cafeteria, offices, locker rooms, area for players to play ping pong, a pool table, a fusball table (which Jovan and myself dominated yesterday), card table and even beds for players to sleep in between double sessions. Now, I know that last sentence is not grammatically correct, but look past the proper English and focus in on the point, which is that this place is amazing. Cruz Azul is the definition of a professional soccer club. Oh and on a side note, they have the best smelling bathrooms I have ever encountered. No joke. There are live plants in the bathroom, surrounded by rich mahogany. You would have to see these bathrooms to truly understand where I am coming from, but trust me, they were nice.

As for the game, we tied Cruz Azul 2-2. They put out a very quality team, which was made up of guys who did not get into the game the previous day against Pumas. Among their players were Jared Borgetti, a Mexican international, and Richard Nunez, who is a first team player coming off injury. Needless to say they were a good squad. They got an early goal from Borgetti and then we answered with a diving header courtesy of Herculez. Omar Cummings would put the Rapids ahead in the second half, beating the goal tender one on one. With about 5 mins left, one of there players hit a one time bomb from about 35 yards out into the top corner. It was one of those goals you say, "Dang that was a great goal" and chalk it up. We played well and are happy with the result. Obviously, we would have loved to close the game out and get the win, but we are still early in our preseason and will settle for the draw.

Today we had our last training session south of the border. We ran for 20mins with our good friend Hector, played possession and ended with a crossing and finishing game. The game was won fairly by Petke and Wingert. Side note, shirts were definitely not required for the game at the end. Everyone was trying to work on their tan to impress the wives and girlfriends upon arrival tomorrow. You can easily identify who is from Colorado, as Wasson and I are the palest people out there. That could be because there has been 3 feet of snow on the ground for the past 4 months!

Many of you might be wondering what goes on other than soccer. Well that is simple, not much. Aside from eating, sleeping and training there is the usual card games, where the high rollers play. Also, video games are played on PSP and PS2, however only one person can play at a time because Colin Clark only brought one controller for the PS2. Who only brings ONE controller? But the Denver Broncos and I still found a way to dominate Madden football. Do I hear a Super Bowl next year anyone? Luckily both hotels had internet access, so guys were able to email and surf the web as they so desired. Other than that, not much goes on.

So as the trip comes to an end I have come to realize a few things I take for granted back in Colorado. First, being able to call for a wake up call and having it delivered on time, not an hour late. Second, walking around with your shirt off for 20 mins and NOT having your shoulders burned! Can I get some aloe here? Third, no smoking in public places. Down here the 'non smoking' section does not exist. Lastly, well, come to think about it I don't have another one.

That being said, it has been a great trip. We have been treated great, the hotels are good, food is tasty, facilities are tops and the weather has been super. Now, I know it does not beat the Revolution's preseason trip to Cancun during Spring Break, but it's up there! It for sure beats being in Vermont.

Check back later as I will try and update before we jump across the pond.

Adios! (My Spanish is coming along quite nicely as you can see)


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Showing 1 of 1 comments
Submitted By: Braham Galentine
posted on 2/28/2007 @ 5:17:27 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Dear Stephen, This is Braham Galentine. Let me first say, super column. Maya Angelou-esque writing. Hypothetical question: If you and a hypothetical bear named Napoleon were fighting on a hypothetical hill, who would win? Second question: Since your Spanish is now spot on, how would one say "the cage" in Espanol? You keep on truckin'. Get a few nets for the boys. I'm Braham Galentine?
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Showing 1 of 1 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Stephen Keel

Littleton , CO

Stephen Keel has posted 7 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 2/19/2007. Stephen Keel 's average blog rating is 4.93.
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