Burgundy looks good on you. 😎 pic.twitter.com/orYVSnhlHY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 6, 2020
There is a little part of me that feels for Colorado. An OG of the league that has always been a bright spot of the league. The small-market team has always done a great job of being among the most competitive. But, yep you guessed it, that was a MLS 2.0. Last season marked the 5th time in the last 6 seasons the Rapids missed out on the playoffs. I don’t like that. I miss the days when Conor Casey was somehow the sneaky scariest guy on the field. Oh how far we’ve come.
But I really want the Rapids to be good this year. The firing squad of Kamara, Shinyashiki, and Rubio all battling to be the team’s true number 9 is a fun watch. But bringing in DP’s to reinforce the midfield and wings is the promise of a trip back to the playoffs. Nicholson is nice but bringing in an exciting prospect in the summer with Galvan, could make the offense ELITE. My mind is telling me, yes, but my heart is telling me no. I think… Colorado misses the playoffs again. I’M SORRY RAPIDS FANS!!!!!!
2019 Much The Same As The Past 2 years
The Good: 58 Goals. Tied for 3rd in the league. Me Gusta. And hiring Robin Fraser. It was critical that they got a guy that could finish the season strong and set building blocks for 2020 and Fraser did so.
The Bad: That start. Oh good god, that start. How about you win your first game before the late stages of May. MAY! For crying out loud, that defense cannot be as bad in 2020 than in 2019. 63 goals is an embarrassment, especially when 7 of them are yours. Oh, and let’s try not to get a red card at EVERY HOME GAME!
Colorado’s 2020 Spongebob GIF
This is supposed to be the season! I don’t remember the last time Colorado team was this propped up. It almost makes you think, “Hey! What the hell am I doing on this site again?” But also, “You’re telling me they have a good offense, why on earth would they finish 20th?” I don’t really know. Maybe Frazier? The new goalie? The defense? Maybe Kamara takes a step back? I don’t know, but it’ll be something.
Offseason Moves
Younes Namli. He’s all everyone is talking about. For 2 years now. A guy that has all the capacity of being on the bench of a premier league. And Braian Galvan. A very young, very promising Argentinian who will join in July. I want to think he’ll be a stud on arrival but that isn’t how it works. And the absolute cleaning of the house at defense. 60 goals are just ridiculously way too high. Maybe Trusty alongside Abubakar could make a difference.
Starting XI
The depth in that offense is scary in that, not one person is hands and feet better than the other. You could easily argue that Jonathan Lewis, Rubio, and Benezet could all be starters come February 29. You also can’t forget about Galvan coming in July. Even though he may be young, I think he could be one of those super subs come September. But that defense. Trusty might be entirely too young to be an elite defender. And Abubakar had a nice 2019 for as long as he was there. I am interested in seeing if he can keep up that pace he had for a whole season alongside a young CB next to him.
Betting Odds
I actually don’t hate these odds. Given their depth in the final third, this offense should be able to be firing on all cylinders come October. And everybody knows, anything can happen in October. Now that’s value.
Best Watches
 
A nice little handful of good games. Colorado actually gets to kick off the MLS Season meaning they get to be the first team that gets viciously judged by foreign media and fans. So if that offense really is for real, they need to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for matchday 1. I’m fairly happy that they have 5 Wednesday games. 2 of which I deem more watchable than the rest of the tv slate. And finally keeping an eye on decision day for a game between two teams that’ll need a win that day for a chance in the playoffs.
Predictions
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFOracFClBg?start=19]
I would actually include the Colorado Rapids in some of the most promising teams. It’s just too young for me. Sure Kamara is the elder statesman, but the rest of them. Lewis 22, Shinyashiki 22, Trusty 22, Vines 20. Hell, only 3 in my version of their starting XI are over the age of 25. I predict that the age will show, and the lack of coaching experience from Frasier (Chivas USA doesn’t count) will crutch this team. I do think they’ll win a game before May, but more importantly, I know they’ll be between 3 and 7 points away from a playoff spot. Unfortunately, I think the other Western Conference teams will get the best of them this season.
I didn’t like to write this blog, but I’m sure the next 19 will be a lot better. Be sure to check the website as I continue to rank the MLS teams from worst-to-first for the 2020 season.