Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Chris Sharpe is gearing up for a big week with the MLS club. The Commerce City outfit qualified for the MLS Cup final with a 1-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, to become Eastern Conference champions, and will now take on FC Dallas in the decider at BMO Field in Toronto this Sunday.
Rapids back-up keeper Sharpe said there was a great atmosphere around the club right now and admitted he was starting to get excited about this week's events.
"It's been a great last month for the club. Getting a great result at home in the (semi-final) first leg to Columbus and then to go to their place, be all square after 90mins and go all the way to penalties and win was fantastic," the 29-year old told tribalfootball.com.
"Then with San Jose beating New York in New York, which gave us the chance to host the Eastern Conference Final was huge for us. Our home form this year has been very good, and we were very confident of beating San Jose at home.
"We now head to Toronto on Thursday to prepare for the final on Sunday night!"
Sharpe admitted he wasn't too perturbed about not playing as the Rapids' current keeper is in top form and said that just being a part of something that not many other players get to experience was enough for him.
"You know it has been a very positive experience. Matt (Pickens, pictured on the left with Sharpe) has had a very good year in the goal for us," he added. "Matt and I have a great relationship on and off the field and we have been able to push each other all year which has been great for us both.
"It takes the whole squad of 26 players to be able to reach the place we have now, when we have injuries and guys fighting for spots each week. It's something many players will go through in their career without experiencing and I am just enjoying the week with my teammates and what Sunday will bring."
And of Colorado's chances of taking down Dallas, who are contesting the final for the first time in the franchise's history, Sharpe said the Rapids were remaining quietly confident.
"FC Dallas are a very strong side all over the field. They showed it Sunday night when they beat LA Galaxy 3-0," he added.
"I feel David Ferreira in the middle of the park holds the key for FC Dallas. If we can keep him quiet that will go a long way to helping us come out on top.
"The lads are very confident right now, we have had a great run the last three months into the post season and we have also managed some very good results on the road against the league's best teams.
"If we can get off to a good start Sunday and keep their main threats quiet early and allow Conor (Casey) and Omar (Cummings) to get going it will go a long way to giving us the result we desire after 90mins!"
