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Marco Pappa says stabbing made him stronger than ever

COMMERCE CITY — Marco Pappa got a kiss on the cheek Thursday from Colorado Rapids teammate Sam Cronin — a gesture that showed how much his new club has embraced the midfielder who is recovering from a gruesome December stabbing.

Pappa, 28, made his first public comments Thursday since being stabbed in December, two days after the Rapids acquired him in a trade with the Seattle Sounders.

"I'm just looking forward, moving on. This made me stronger than ever," Pappa told The Denver Post. "I'm really lucky I have my second opportunity. God gave me this chance, I can still play in the game I love.