Lalas Abubakar’s legacy as a Colorado Rapids defender is epitomized by effort.
Reggie Cannon, current Rapids outside back and former teammate of the Ghanaian, burst into laughter remembering his favorite Abubakar extra-ism after training on Thursday.
“I’d definitely say the unique way he clears the ball, I’ll never forget it,” Cannon said. “Lalas does this double scissor kick in training. He’ll act like he’s doing a bicycle kick, but he’ll just launch the ball like 100 feet in the air because that’s just who he is. That’s his personality; he gives 200% in everything.”
Most of the time, he did so with a smile on his face — his big, springy hair bouncing from back to front while attempting a bruising header on a set piece. In those moments especially, Abubakar didn’t hold back. He wasn’t much concerned with accuracy, just putting it past the keeper before they could put a hand up to stop it.
Yet after six years wearing the burgundy and blue as well as anyone could, the Rapids declined the 30-year-old’s contract option last November. Despite discussions to re-sign, FC Dallas signed Abubakar to a two-year deal as a free agent a few weeks later.
And now on Saturday, he’ll make his return to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for the Rapids’ MLS home opener.
You wouldn’t gather his confidence and physicality from the subtlety in his voice, but his presence exudes it. Combined, those traits crafted a unique kind of humility.
It drew Rapids coach Chris Armas when he walked into the locker room of the Western Conference’s worst team for the first time, looking to revamp.
“He meant a lot to this team last year, and specifically for my first year here,” Armas said. “When you talk about the culture we’ve created here — the all-in, team-first culture — he led the way.
“He’s one of my favorite human beings that I’ve come across in this business and he’s a reliable footballer. For the way we were trying to build this team and the way we are trying to build it, I think he’s such a good fit. … I’m a big Lalas fan.”
The feeling of belonging was mutual between Abubakar and the club, but especially with Rapids fans and the greater community.
His grin usually beamed brightest whenever he was around the Rapids’ Special Olympics Unified team. Throughout his time in Colorado, he and midfielder Cole Bassett rarely missed a Unified match or event.
After big wins, he was one of the first to greet the crowd for autographs, photos and the occasional jersey giveaway. Abubakar’s Centennial State affection runs deep, and for six years, Colorado granted him the same warmth.
“The fans made me love Colorado. They made everything easier for me,” Abubakar told The Denver Post. “Any time I come down there, I’m always going to be grateful for them, regardless of whichever team I’m on. They made my time in Colorado special.”
Cannon, a former FC Dallas man himself who knew of Abubakar for most of their respective careers, signed with Colorado last September, just a couple months before Abubakar’s departure.
Cannon was one of several former U.S. Men’s National Team players brought in by the Rapids from Europe last year hoping for another strike at the international iron. He struck a rapport with Abubakar and found a guiding voice with a new team on a new continent.
“When I was here, when I first came, he was the guy you go to for that confidence, for that stability,” Cannon said. “He’s that guy who’s been here, he knows the system, he knows what to do. Lalas is such a good personality to have at a club.”
Abubakar said his focus at the moment is on the match itself and to try to steal a few points from his former club. He didn’t feature in Dallas’ season opener, but he played plenty during preseason and scored, of course, on a header on a set piece.
But he couldn’t help but crack a giggle thinking about what it’d be like walking out onto the DSGP grass again.
“I’m really excited to be back. It’s going to be special,” Abubakar said. “After being in Colorado for so long and coming back to the field that I’m used to playing on … it’s going to be special. My relationship with the fans, the coaches, everybody — I had a really special relationship with everybody.”
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