Rapids Class VI

VI Questions with Stephen Keel

Colorado Native and Rapids Center Back Stephen Keel just may be the best Player in the MLS Reserve System. Starting his third season with the team, Keel keeps improving his role with a team he won a place with by participating in open tryouts.

Stephen took some time out to answer a few questions for Rapids Fans and we're very grateful to him.

I. Right off, on behalf of all Rapids fans - Congratulations on being named MLS Reserve Player of the Year! Is there any one coach or player that has inspired your professional development?

Thank you very much. There is not necessarily one coach or one player, but more of a combination. Obviously Coach Clavijo and Coach Murphy have played a large role in my development as a professional. They have taught me a lot about what I need to work on to make my game better. Murph gave me the captains arm band this past year and I think that brought out more of a leadership role in me, something that might have been lacking from my game.

As far as players, playing with the Cobras is a great pleasure. All the guys are working together, for each other, to achieve one goal; to win the championship. Also, as a younger guy I look to the experienced veterans like Pablo and Petke and try to learn as much from them as possible. They have been doing this a long time and doing it at the highest level. To not learn from them or watch the way they train and their approach to the game would be foolish.

II. Colorado native - undrafted in MLS - tell us how you came to signing with your hometown team and what it means to you.

Well, I came in for the open tryout in 2005 and that is where I got my first look. I had to go back to "The" Wake Forest University (2007 National Champions!!) to graduate. Once I did that I came back and trained with the team for about a month and then I was signed. When I signed my first contract with the Rapids I was the happiest person alive (and still am). To play professional soccer has been my dream ever since I was a wee little toddler running around my back yard with a ball. Add that I get to play for my hometown team and in front of my friends and family is beyond words. The fans here are so great and the support we get at games (home and away) is awesome. I feel so fortunate to be in the situation I am. Words really can't describe how much I love playing here.

III. The dream to play an MLS game holds for so many young kids. Tell us about the experience of getting named to the First Team for Match Day for the first time.

My first start was against Real Salt Lake. It was raining and on turf, so not the most desirable playing conditions, but I didn't care because it was my first start. It meant a lot because a lot of our fans made the trip out to Salt Lake and were singing the entire game which was awesome. Plus it was towards the end of the season when every game counted and we needed all the points to make a push for the playoffs. The game didn't turn out the way we wanted, as we lost 1-0. But it is something I will always remember and look back on with a positive thought. Oh and I do remember having a shoe lace football tackle on Beckerman for my first yellow card. That was fun.

IV. In 2006, you were loaned out to the Seattle Sounders of USL 1. Tell us a bit about that experience.

Myself and Jordan Harvey took a few trips up to Seattle. It was a great experience. We were playing 90 mins against professional players. It helped in my development by getting game experience. We took a few road trips with the team to places like Puerto Rico, Miami and Virginia Beach. There were some long flights, but good for frequent flyer miles! All in all, it was a great experience and something that helped me as a professional.

V. Class VI and the C-Firm make the trip to Salt Lake City for the Rocky Mountain Cup games. What does having fans at an away game mean to the team?

Like I mentioned before it is awesome when we have fans at away games. Obviously at our home games all you hear is chanting and good banter in favor of the Rapids. On the road you hear just the opposite. I can't tell you how many times I have had fans at away games tell me to "cut my hair." So it is nice to hear the Rapids faithful cheering for us. Plus, it is a lot easier on the eyes seeing the Rapids Blue and Burgundy in the stands as opposed to the colors of the Salt Lake team. I know the team feels the same way. We love it when our fans support us on the road, espciallly when you can hear our fans more than the home team fans!

VI. I sit in a cubicle, staring at a computer making money for da man. Good fun huh? Tell us about a typical work day for you.

My day starts off with a nice breakfast and reading espn.com and checking my email. Then it is off to training where we all arrive before 9:30 (to avoid a nice $10 fine.) Training is usually from 10-12ish or so. After our workout, we shower, get treatment, jump in the cold tubs and then head to lunch as a team at the stadium (that is new this year and something that I enjoy very much!) Once we are full everyone goes home. I come home and again check espn.com and my email. I will rest for a little while and then hit the gym at my apartment for some extra weight lifting sessions and cardio. Usually I try and lift 3 times a week and focus on upper body in my own lifting. We lift as a team and those sessions focus more on legs and core.

The rest of the afternoon is filled with a nap and usually talking to my friends. Then I usually prepare a fine feast for dinner. I live with my brother and he is in training to be a firefighter so he does not get home till later. So more often than not I do the cooking, but he will try and tell you A) that a caveman could do the cooking I do and B) he helps out. But let me assure you that neither are 100% true! Let me see a caveman make chicken tacos! After dinner I watch tv (Tuesday night is Rob and Big on MTV night), relax and hit the sack. Then I wake up and do it all over again.

Thank You for your time Stephen - we look forward to seeing you with the first team even more often this season. To leave any messages or feed back Click Here.

Posted by mark at January 30, 2008 10:12 AM