Editorial (September 21, 2017) – Stefan Aigner is still settling in with the Colorado Rapids. He’s come off the bench in the last two games. He provided the game winning assist in his debut. The German is impressing everyone along the way.
Approaching Full Fitness: Steve Cook Seeing Stefan Aigner Starting Soon
“You can see everyday in practice and in the games, he’s coming along. He’s someone who’s going to bring a lot to this team once he gets his feet grounded,” Dominique Badji said after the game last weekend. It was a 1-1 draw against New York City FC.
Aigner came on and helped create some offensive opportunities from the wing. He didn’t create the goal for Badji, but he’s still making progress. “Tonight when he came on, he made a great impact,” said Interim Head Coach Steve Cooke, adding “Stefan has real quality, and you see moments there today where he shows the ability of a top level player.”
Having An Impact In Training And The Locker Room:
It hasn’t been just his work on the field. Aigner has been in training for almost a month now and he’s having an impact there. Cooke spoke with Last Word on Soccer after a training session in the week prior to the NYCFC match:
“After just a few weeks of training, he’s already made a huge contribution to the group. His presence has been fantastic from day one because he adds a level of professionalism. He is a quality person, first and foremost. He’s a level headed senior professional who’s played at the highest levels of the game,” said Cooke.
He’s also helping along the younger players who need an example to look up to. “He knows what it takes to be a high level professional player and to be in a locker room with guys who need that help and advice as well. He’s been a real big influence in that regard,” Cooke explained. “Everyday, he leads by example. He shows them how to be a very good professional away from the game in terms of their recovery work. In terms of the way he lives his life, he’s a fit healthy young man still.”
Aigner’s first day of training was the same day the Rapids sacked Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni. The winger hadn’t stayed fit during the summer. He was out of contract and did not want to ruin his chance to get a contract by injuring himself. After signing with the Rapids, he had to move his family over from Germany. He’s already cracked the 18 in three weeks of training.
Cracking The Starting XI:
He’s clearly a fit player which is to be expected getting raised in the famed German academy system. With how far he’s come in a month, imagine his potential once he gets a full off-season and preseason in MLS. The question just remains, when could Rapids fans see him in the Starting XI . . .
“With Stefan, I do see him cracking the lineup . . . As soon has he’s ready, he’s going to be a big player,” Cooke said after the last game. “He’s going to be a very big player for this club for a few years.”
We’ll have to wait and see when Aigner starts. But once he does, he’ll be a bright spot for what has been a disappointing second half of the season for the Rapids.
