Watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve for fans of the Colorado Rapids will give even the most cold-hearted ones something to be relieved about. It’s finally, mercifully, the end of 2023: The single-worst year in franchise history.
At midnight, those who choose to sing “For Auld Lang Syne” will more likely be raising a final thank you toast to auld acquaintances, cornerstone players (and people) that have since departed the club (captain Jack Price, Diego Rubio and Steven Beitashour) rather than mull over for an umpteenth time how a season went so horribly wrong. But before ringing in both the new year and head coach Chris Armas at the helm, here’s where things stand heading into a hopeful, and at the very least, less-miserable 2024.
Armas barnstorms way through Denver
Shortly after Pádraig Smith addressed media to recap a six-pick 2024 MLS SuperDraft last Tuesday, he and Armas set off on a whirlwind tour to make amends and shake hands. First, it was something Armas asked twice over for: A meeting with Centennial 38 at The Celtic on Market. C38, the club’s largest, independent supporters group, wrote a scathing letter to the front office and ownership, staged a walkout and kept up protest banners from September through the end of the season. The event also included a formal contract signing of new Rapids midfielder Omir Fernandez, in which he put pen to paper on a three-year deal through 2026 with a one-year option for 2027.
Two more signings were made that day, as the club signed Colorado natives Oliver Larraz, 22, and Sebastian Anderson, 21, to one-year deals through 2024 with the club holding additional option years for both. Both deals were expected after their Homegrown Player contracts expired and the pair came off strong seasons with Rapids 2. Colorado was keen to hold onto each of them due to their potential and where they can fit into Armas’ vision.
Armas spoke to more fans the next day at DNVR Bar and got back on the mic for hour-long appearances on a pair of podcasts, the DNVR Rapids show and Holding the High Line. Buried in the 120-plus minutes of conversation and fruity language-filled episodes, he dropped two significant bits: He’s met with KSE vice president Josh Kroenke, and, he is on a two-year contract.
“(Fans) aren’t just coming here like they’re going to the dentist,” Armas quipped on HTHL. “…Understanding how they feel is important, and that’s fair. They can reserve judgement on the team, myself and we have to earn that back. We’ve got a great connection, but ultimately, time will tell with what they see on the pitch.”
Making January count
There will be further shakeups thanks to the international transfer window opening in January. Smith told reporters the offseason momentum must remain positive, adding “it needs to be.”
“There’s one or two players we’re actively involved in negotiations right now, so there’s a real buzz around the place,” Smith said.
One player who appears to be on his way out is Brazilian midfielder Max Alves. Despite having been removed from team activities for an alleged match manipulation scandal which surfaced in May, league sources confirmed to The Post clubs in Brazil are interested in Alves. However, MLS still has not announced the findings of the investigation it launched in the wake of the scandal, and it’s still unclear what next steps may be.
New era is here
The schedule is out. The transfers rumors are flying. The holiday period, chalk full of appearances and niceties, is over with.
Colorado’s front office and its fans know that once Jan. 1 hits, the Armas era will truly begin in earnest.
“…We’re nowhere near done yet,” Smith said. “So we’ve got to keep going, make sure we finish this offseason very strongly and bring in the type of character and type of player that’s going to enable us to succeed next season.”
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