LABAUEX ON HIS DEBUT, LOOKING FORWARD TO HOME OPENER
Rapids rookie midfielder Ross LaBauex made his professional debut in the Rapids season opener against Chivas USA. The second round draft pick replaced outside mid Colin Clark in the 77th minute to help the Rapids hold their 1-0 lead.
Throughout preseason LaBauex slowly worked his way into the Rapids lineup. His combination of skill and athleticism has seen him move up the center mid pecking order. LaBauex knows that he has plenty of work to do but sees his professional debut as another step forward.
“It’s great, it’s a step closer. It’s about getting minutes, then playing even more minutes, then becoming a starter. It’s all little steps, a process to further my career.”
LaBauex had a feeling he’d get minutes against Chivas but admits he was still nervous when is name was called.
“I was nervous, just because you hear all the people. Then it was a corner kick or a throw in when I got in, so I ran back and Pickens started yelling some directions at me, and I can’t hear. I didn’t know it was going to be like this, so I marked a guy and tried to add some intensity. It’s just great to see the coaches have confidence in me.”
The nerves passed quickly and the rookie put in a solid 15 minutes. His teammates and his experience at the University of Virginia helped him handle the speed and intensity of the match.
“The speed and intensity, it’s high but I think Virginia prepared me well. I played in all the big games in college, so now I’m just going to play all these games like they are my national championship.”
“At first you might miss a pass, but you just got to keep going, keep playing. My teammates helped. Drew Moor just said ‘make sure you enjoy it’, and then he said something and got me to laugh so I was alright. They’ve been great, the older guys.”
LaBauex, a Chicago native, is excited to play against his hometown team this weekend in the home opener. Ross grew up in Chicago and played with youth soccer powerhouse Chicago Magic and the Chicago Fire’s U20 setup.
“It’ll be fun, just because it’s going to be the Chicago Fire my hometown team, so it will be fun. Everyone is excited. It’ll be a good game. Hopefully we’ll get a good crowd and hopefully I can get into the first home game too.”
LaBauex knows it will be a tough game and believes the team will need to focus for 90 minutes if they want to win.
“I watched the game against New York. New coach, a few new players, but they move the ball well. They have McBride, who is one of the best goal scorers in US history. We can’t fall asleep, one little inch and he can hurt us. As long as we prepare and work as a team, we are going to win.”
Success seems to follow the young midfielder. He won a national championship with the University of Virginia last season and believes the Rapids can do great things this year.
“I think this team can accomplish as much as we put our hearts and minds to.”