Sam Cronin and Marlon Hairston warm up for the first Rapids training session of 2015. (Daniel Boniface, The Denver Post)
Rapids training got under way for the 2016 season on Monday, but midfielders Marco Pappa and Dillon Serna were held out.
Serna skipped the practice, which was held on the artificial turf of Field 10 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, as a precaution due to a sore back. With training scheduled to take place on Field 10 all week, it’s possible Serna may not join training until the team arrives in San Diego.
Coach Pablo Mastroeni said Pappa is still “probably a good two and a half weeks behind the rest of the group.”
A in December. Pappa had suffered a stab wound that required surgery, according to the report. MLS is investigating.
“He s working hard and diligently to get back to the type of fitness we can take to the field,” Mastroeni said. “But listen, gotta be very patient, gotta be very understanding.”
Pappa sat with Serna and watched Monday’s training session and seemed to be in good spirit.
“When he s fit and in form I think he s going to be a difference maker for us,” Mastroeni said.
The Rapids declined to speak further on Pappa, citing an “ongoing investigation.”
Gray skies & chilly winds don’t prevent Marco Pappa from sharing a warm smile with his
— John A. Babiak (@Photog_JohnB)
Other Rapids who missed on MondayMidfielder Juan Ramirez was absent from training, but the Rapids declined to comment. A club in the Spanish second division, Almería, announced Sunday it had acquired Ramirez. On Monday, the club tweeted a photo of Ramirez at training.
Los argentinos Juan Ramírez y Esteban Saveljich ya visten de rojiblanco
— UD Almería (@U_D_Almeria)
Stay tuned.
Defender Joseph Greenspan was absent as well, and it was revealed that Colorado is bracing to be without the active-duty Naval officer for the entire 2016 season. .
Defender Sean St. Ledger was absent as well, but the Rapids said there were no issues and all was good with him. No reason was given for his absence.
Here’s a quirky stat
Dillon Serna is now the second-longest tenured player on the Colorado Rapids senior roster (Dillon Powers has him beat by one day). Both were acquired in January 2013. Though, Serna did join the Rapids academy in 2009.
Yet, Serna is still younger than four of the six Rapids picks in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Emmanuel Appiah, Dennis Castillo, Chris Froschauer and Javan Torre are all older than Serna. Bradley Kamdem and John Manga are younger than him, but just barely.
On trial with FC Dallas
Dallas seems to have become a comfortable landing spot for former Rapids in recent times. (Well, since former coach Oscar Pareja bolted back to Frisco, at least.) And here’s another one: Former Rapids winger Charles Eloundou is on trial with FC Dallas this preseason, the Cameroonian told The Denver Post on Monday. The Rapids declined Eloundou’s option this winter.
Eloundou does not have a contract with FC Dallas, but said he’s hoping to earn one this preseason.
Footnotes
Rapids midfielder Marcello Sarvas has changed his number. He will wear No. 5 this season. Midfielder Zach Pfeffer will wear No. 16. Midfielder Michael Azira will wear No. 22.
Marcello Sarvas will wear No. 5 this season for the Rapids. (Daniel Boniface, The Denver Post)
