It’s the dawn of a new season and with it come high expectations for Major League Soccer’s 28th campaign.
The Colorado Rapids are looking to return to the postseason after a one-year absence, and with a new Apple TV deal in place, it’s a transition season for the entire league. The Rapids open the season Sunday in Seattle at 6 p.m. on FS1 and free-to-air Apple TV.
With so much ground to cover, let’s hit it.
It seems as though almost nobody is picking the Rapids for the playoffs and nobody is picking them to repeat their 2021 form. In your professional opinion, are the players and management aware of this?
Jake A., Morrison
Bulletin board material? This is a team that loves that. Just ask captain Jack Price, who I spoke to this week.
“We’re just a solid team this year that I think not a lot of people are going to talk about us in the league and we like it that way,” he said. “We went under the radar in ’21 and we finished top of the West. It has that sort of feeling to it in my eyes. The players we have here obviously have the abundance of quality, but, it’s also having the right people.”
Part of the reason national pundits are picking Colorado to miss the playoffs or barely sneak in is because of concerns in the final third. Who’s going to step up alongside Diego Rubio? While the defense is looking to drastically reduce its near-conference-worst 57 goals against, seven new players could take time to gel.
Still, flying under the radar is what this team excels at, and we’ll see what 2023 brings.
What grade would you give (the Rapids)’ transfer window business and do you think it will make a big difference in making (Colorado) a contender for the conference championship?
Luke, Denver
The Rapids get a B+ from me. They hit all their targets bringing in seven new players, which includes intra-league signings Kévin Cabral, who is extra eager to prove himself in Burgundy, and Calvin Harris, an exciting depth piece.
The spine of the team from back-to-front is impressive. There’s a potential future No.1 goalkeeper in Marko Ilić, center back Andreas Maxsø is a proven leader and Generation Adidas center back Moïse Bombito is ahead of schedule. On the outside is sturdy left back in Alex Gersbach, and centrally are Littleton’s Cole Bassett and Connor Ronan, who, according to Price, “is a quality player on the ball and works his nuts off, another good lad.”
Point taken, Pricey.
On paper it’s a playoff-quality roster, but the West is going to be a slugfest. Tough atmospheres away from home are where we will find out what this team is made of.
Do you expect Lalas Abubakar or Danny Wilson to pair with Maxso? Why hasn’t Jonathan Lewis played in preseason?
Anonymous, Laporte
It was one of the biggest questions once Maxsø signed, but the pairing might not be solved by early summer. Maxsø will be a starter, though 90 minutes at altitude is a grind and the odd man out will likely be an integral substitute. Looking to Sunday, Wilson’s transition passing could be a deciding factor in getting the start.
Regarding Lewis, the winger didn’t play a minute of preseason. A club spokesperson told The Post Thursday he missed games “due to various knocks he sustained across preseason.” The injuries aren’t expected to be long-term.
What position does Braian Galván fit best in? Also, with the amount of depth we have, it feels like someone has to be the odd man out. Who’s most likely to be moved?
John, Lafayette
Galván is a left-sided unicorn who when fit can get up and down the field. That said, he’s at his best as a left wing back where he can be a bit of a rover to both overlap on attack and add extra cover.
To the depth question, one could argue the team needs this many bodies due to the length of the season. Leagues Cup and Open Cup are competitions Colorado wants to fare well in, and the playoffs have expanded.
“To be honest, I think this is the best squad we’ve had in years, well, since I’ve been here in terms of depth,” Price said. “There’s players that will be missing out that are probably thinking they should be starting, so that’s just the nature of the beast unfortunately.”
Does it look like Michael Barrios will be the starting right winger given the amount of times he’s been starting in preseason with the A team and Galván making a gradual transition back from injury?
Isiah, Aurora
Barrios got a lot of run this preseason but Sam Nicholson has looked sharp, too. It seems like it’s another game-by-game scenario as both are exciting on their day, but Barrios brought the ruckus as a late-game substitute and it could be that way again with some starts mixed in.
Galván is primarily a left-sided or left-central player, but yes, it will be a gradual ramping up of minutes for the Argentinian this spring.
(Who wins out at goalkeeper) William Yarbrough or Marko Ilić?
Domenico, Italy
It’s the 34-year-old Yarbrough’s job to lose at the moment. However, with it being a short-term loan through July for the 25-year-old Ilić, it’s a good chance to see if he’s worth the money to buy permanently and the newcomer could be starting sooner than later.
How’s Oliver Larraz’s recovery progressing?
Teddy, Denver
Larraz is progressing well from a leg break, and while he’s taken a few knocks that create moments of angst, per Fraser, he’s doing well. It seems likely he’ll start the year with Rapids 2 and will have the chance to play a bigger role down the stretch or into next season.
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