The
ball moves in a rhythm around the field, the Colorado Rapids are doing a really
nice job on their season opener against the Portland Timbers. The Timbers are
the favorites to win this game, but the only visible fans of theirs are packed
up in a corner of the stadium, nothing compared to the sea of burgundy and
white scarfs, jerseys, and t-shirts, which are the Rapids’ colors. Soccer has
always been my favorite sport, I started when I was three and now play for one
of the academy teams for the Colorado Rapids, and so, you could say that I am
not a neutral fan in the game.
Portland are the attack, their
fast players streaking down the field, taking big touches and slowly moving
down the field. Portland’s type of play is really fast in this game, and everything
is moving smoothly. The game has been going for a while, and it seems as though
the Rapids might not be able to hold out against their opposition. The same
player has the ball. Everyone gets a wash of nervousness as we realize that
this simple, non-advised play by this player, could lead to a goal for
Portland. Further and further, the player is running, but to sooth our fears,
Drew Moor, a star defender, comes and envelopes the movement, containing it and
eventually pokes the ball out of bounds. I still isn’t our ball, but the crowd
leans back as one and relaxes a bit.
The same Portland player picks the
ball up with his hands and throws it back in bounds in the direction of a
teammate, only to get picked off by one of our players. The Rapids click back
into their attacking play, moving the ball around.
An opening in the defense of the
Timbers is revealed, which is noticed by a player on the Rapids, he is a rookie
from Jamaica who can accelerate to amazing speeds. He does just that, leaving
the Portland players to scramble after him. The mood in the stadium suddenly
changes, we all get excited and are preparing to jump out of our seats. The
Jamaican is close to the goal right now, and could shoot if he was selfish. The
defenders start to close in on him. What will he do? One of the defenders
slides for the ball, and at that instant the Rapids play redirects it to a
veteran player, who is wide open with a clear shot at goal.
I
already know what will happen. He strikes it, putting perfect pace and spin on
it. The goal-keeper has no chance. The ball flies into the top corner, and
everyone erupts.
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