A look at the 2023 Colorado Rapids’ roster heading into Saturday’s home opener against Sporting Kansas City at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park:
Forwards
11 Diego Rubio
F | 29-years-old | 5-foot-11 | 170 pounds
The Chilean tied the club record for most goals in a season (16) to go along with seven assists in 2022. If Colorado is to return to the postseason, Rubio will almost assuredly have something to say once he returns from a knee injury in a few weeks.
12 Michael Barrios
F | 31 | 5-4 | 130
The spark that can ignite Colorado’s offense, the crafty veteran is never afraid to take on defenders one-on-one.
14 Calvin Harris
F | 22 | 6-0 | 161
Acquired from FC Cincinnati in December, Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said Harris’ speed “will be his bread and butter.”
37 Dantouma “Yaya” Toure
F | 18 | 5-9 | 150
Toure burst onto the scene last August, but tore his ACL and will likely miss the 2023 season.
77 Darren Yapi
F | 18 | 6-3 | 185
A center forward from Green Valley Ranch, he’s added muscle and further developed his finishing skills. Old enough to begin tapping into his potential, yet young enough to not catch the reference behind the “Yapster” nickname given to him by Jack Price.
91 Kévin Cabral
F | 23 | 6-1 | 152
Colorado’s new Designated Player believes a change in scenery will lead to more goals than his last destination, LA Galaxy.
Midfielders
7 Jonathan Lewis
W | 25 | 5-7 | 150
Lewis will look to be a key contributor on the wing, as he is week-to-week and out with an ankle injury. He had five goals and three assists in 2,200 minutes in 2022.
8 Max Alves
CM | 21 | 5-9 | 161
The Brazilian will look to pick up his form from late last year after a rough start to his MLS career.
19 Jack Price
CM | 30 | 5-7 | 192
Out for much of 2022, the captain returning to the field will give the Rapids a massive boost in set pieces and leadership.
20 Connor Ronan
CM | 24 | 5-7 | 154
Newly acquired from Wolverhampton in the Premier League, Ronan will look to earn the trust of his teammates as the season progresses, but already looks promising in the center of the pitch.
21 Bryan Acosta
CDM | 29 | 5-9 | 176
If Acosta can bring the same tenacity but with fewer yellow cards (the team’s leader in ’22), it’ll do his stock good.
23 Cole Bassett
CAM | 21 | 5-11 | 150
Back from a year-long loan in the Netherlands, the Littleton native is eager to show how much his technical skills grew overseas. Plus nab a few goals, too.
28 Sam Nicholson
W | 28 | 5-9 | 157
In his second stint in Colorado, Nicholson adds another solid option on the wing. In 2019, he had four assists and two goals.
29 Braian Galván
W/M | 22 | 5-5 | 141
The “unicorn” of the bunch who can play anywhere, Galván made his return to the field last Sunday after a torn ACL kept him out in 2022.
97 Ralph Priso
CM | 20 | 5-9 | 176
Acquired from Toronto FC last summer, Priso is another midfielder who could thrive under Fraser with the right guidance.
Defenders
2 Keegan Rosenberry
RB | 29 | 5-8 | 161
Viewed as the team’s iron man, Rosenberry saw the field in all 34 games last season. He’ll likely be heavily leaned upon again.
4 Danny Wilson
CB | 31 | 6-2 | 174
With true competition at center back this season, Wilson has been up for the challenge so far in training and could be the glue that holds the back line together.
5 Andreas Maxsø
CB | 28 | 6-3 | 187
The first defensive Designated Player in club history, Maxsø already has the mark of a leader and has been touted for his work ethic, even in routine practice drills.
6 Lalas Abubakar
CB | 28 | 6-1 | 181
A fan favorite, Abubakar was more remembered for his timely goals in 2022 than his defensive efforts. He’ll look to change that around this season.
16 Alex Gersbach
LB | 25 | 6-0 | 161
An Australian who spent the last few years playing in a town in the French Alps, he will look to find a foothold quickly in MLS.
27 Sebastian Anderson
RB | 20 | 5-8 | 154
Anderson trained with the first team for much of last year but was also important for Rapids 2. It could be the same setup this season.
30 Aboubacar Keita
CB | 22 | 6-2 | 179
Still adjusting to life in Colorado after spending 2022 recovering from a torn ACL, Keita will likely see game action with R2.
31 Anthony Markanich
LB | 23 | 6-1 |162
A 2022 SuperDraft pick, Markanich is another promising prospect who needs time to make his way up the depth chart.
33 Steven Beitashour
RB | 36 | 5-10 | 172
The oldest player on the roster, Beitashour was a rock at the back line when he played last season. With new figures across the back line, it’d be wise to ask the 14-year MLS veteran tricks of the trade.
64 Moïse Bombito
CB | 22 | 6-3 183
The former junior college player turned Generation Adidas signee has a lot of promise. While he’s down in the pecking order, coaches have been high on him. Learning under proven leaders will have its perks, too.
Goalkeepers
1 Marko Ilić
GK | 25 | 6-3 | 179
A Serbian post-protector? Just ask the Nuggets how that’s turned out. On loan until July, Ilić will compete for a starting spot right away.
22 William Yarbrough
GK | 33 | 6-2 | 161
At 33, the veteran is a huge locker room figure and will not hand over the reins easily. That said, a true competition could benefit Yarbrough.
26 Abraham Rodriguez
GK | 20 | 5-8 | 165
The Homegrown made his MLS debut last year, and 2023 will be another shot to learn from seasoned pros.
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