Robin Fraser 'proud' of Colorado Rapids for securing MLS Cup Playoff spot
By Chris Smith
Robin Fraser has expressed pride in the "hard work" his Colorado Rapids side have shown to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
A 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Saturday was enough to seal a second consecutive berth in the post-season after missing out for three years in a row previously.
Colorado are among the lowest spenders in MLS and have no permanent Designated Players in their ranks - Younes Namli is their sole DP but is only at the club on loan from Russian side FC Krasnodar.
Even so, Fraser's men are third only to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting KC in the West, while no side has lost fewer than their six games in their own conference.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday's match, Fraser praised his players for defying the odds once again in 2021.
“It’s why we play. It’s why we compete. It’s why I’ve done this for as long as I have, is to try to win and try to get into positions to win things," said Fraser.
"What I’m really proud of is this group of players that is oftentimes disregarded. Small team, low budget, all these things. I’m really proud of how hard and how cohesively they’ve worked all year to get to this point."
Fraser added that the Rapids' playoff qualification is no fluke and that they're fully deserving of their shot at MLS Cup glory, which remains the ultimate aim.
"I’m really, really happy for them because we’re not here by luck. We’re here because they earned it," he continued. "For that, I’m really, really excited. But that’s the first goal. We have a couple of other goals we want to address here. But just to get here and to be in the playoffs is certainly a gratifying feeling. Again, just really proud of the group.”
The next task for the Rapids is to try and catch the SKC and the Sounders above them to secure as many home playoff matches as possible. The former are level in the table and only ahead on games won, while the latter hold a three-point lead with three games to go.
Up next is a trip to newly-crowned Supporters' Shield champions New England Revolution on Wednesday.