Countdown to Kickoff 2018: Colorado Rapids

Official Name: Colorado Rapids Soccer Club

Stadium: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO - Capacity 18,061

Head Coach: Anthony Hudson

Captain: Tim Howard

Kit: Primary Secondary

USL Affiliate: Charlotte Independence

General Manager and Club President: Padraig Smith

Owner: Stan Kroenke

Formation: Under new Head Coach Anthony Hudson, the Rapids are playing a 3-5-2.

 

2017 In Review:

After a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2016, hopes were riding high for the Rapids in 2017. Hopes were that a stingy defense and a timely scoring would continue into the new year. Those hopes were dashed with the trade of Marc Burch and Sam Cronin to MUFC which decimated our backline and ripped out the heart of the team. The Rapids struggled to score, putting the ball in the net only thirty-one times and struggled away from home, recording only five points away from Dicks Sporting Goods Park.

Head Coach and Rapids legend Pablo Mastroeni was fired on August 15th and replaced with caretaker manager Steve Cooke.

Highlight of the season was Josh Gatt’s 2nd minute goal to beat RSL in the penultimate game of the season that eventually knocked our Rocky Mountain Cup rivals out of playoff contention. The Rapids were outshot 29-2 in a game they found a way to win over the visitors from Salt Lake.

Lowlight of the season was a 1-0 loss to DC United at Dicks Sporting Good Park in August. Immediately after the firing of Pablo Mastroeni, losing at home to the “worst team in the league” meant the Rapids were, at the moment, the worst team in the league.

 

Key Returning Players:

Tim Howard: The longtime USMNT netminder returns for his third and likely final season with the Rapids. He hopes to improve on a 2017 that saw him near the bottom of GK efficiency in MLS. A poor start to 2018 could lead to an opening for back-up keeper Zach McMath.

Dominique Badji: The Rapids leading scorer from 2017 (9 goals) ruffled feathers with overtures towards Europe early in the offseason but looks to be the starter up front to start the season.

Axel Sjöberg: The 2016 MLS Best XI struggled with injuries in 2017, starting only 19 games. Rumors have him potentially on the way out of town as its unsure that his lack of mobility will mesh with Hudson’s new formation.

Marlon Hairston: The 2014 Superdraft pick had a breakout 2017. He shined as a wing-back the second half of the season and looks locked into the starting lineup on the right side.

Stefan Aigner: The 2017 midseason arrival made a great impression in some meaningless games at the end of the season.

 

Arrivals:

Johan Blomberg: The 30 year old midfielder arrived from Swedish side AIK.

Jack Price: The 26 year old midfielder from Wolverhampton looks to be as impressive on the pitch as his beard looks off it.

Tommy Smith: One of three New Zealand Nationals signed by the Rapids, comes from Championship side Ispwich Town.

Danny Wilson: Signed from Old Firm side Rangers, solidifies depth on the backline.

Edgar Castillo: The former Mexican and USMNT player arrived on loan from Monterrey. Will start on the left side as a wingback.

 

Departures:

Mohammed Saeid: A return from the Burch/Conin trade asked to be released by the Rapids in order to be closer to family. He has signed with Danish Superliga club Lyngby BK.

Josh Gatt: Another return from the Burch/Conin trade is a trialist with Chicago. The quick speedster was the epitome of the Rapids in 2017, showing small flashes of brilliance before hammering the ball 25 feet right of goal.

Dillon Powers: Formerly the Rapids longest tenured player, he was traded to Orlando for Luis Gil. Resigned with the Lions for the 2018 season.

 

Outlook for 2018:

The Rapids need to find a way to score goals and have been promised at least two new striker signings by General Manager Padraig Smith. This has yet to happen. While the back line seems to be greatly improved, the lack of goal scoring capacity leads itself to a large number of 0-0 draws and the hope for opportunistic scoring. If the Rapids find a way to score goals, and if new Head Coach Anthony Hudson finds a way to make the tactical improvements that were lacking under Masteroni, the Rapids can surprise teams expecting CoLOLrado.

Best Case for 2018:

Spending on the backline leads to the stingiest defence in the league with the Rapids allowing a league low 29 goals. Opportunistic and timely goal scoring, plus a revitalized Shkëlzen Gashi and a midsummer DP striker signing, allows the Rapids to steal enough road points to host a knockout stage match, before dropping a conference semi-final tie on penalties.

Worst Case for 2018:

A strong backline is not enough to make up for a lack of goal scoring prowess. The Rapids continue to struggle on the road and finish near the bottom of the table, barely avoiding winning the Wooden Spoon on the seasons last weekend. The Rapids are out of playoff contention by mid-August, Tim Howard retires before the end of the season. Reports come out that Kroenke is considering selling the team to an ownership group out of Austin.