When the Rapids open their season Saturday at Philadelphia, they will be looking to end a long drought.
The Rapids haven’t defeated a Major League Soccer team since July 25, 2014. That includes the preseason. Their last win, a 3-0 triumph at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last summer, came against Chivas USA, a team since disbanded by MLS.
The last time the Rapids beat an MLS team that still exists: June 28, 2014, a 2-0 victory over Vancouver. To put things in perspective, Team USA’s 2014 World Cup hopes were still alive then.
It’s safe to say changes were needed and massive turnover ensued in Commerce City. First it was the front office and support staff, with the Rapids adding sporting director Padraig Smith, director of soccer Claudio Lopez and assistant coach Brian Mullan. Ten new players were added as well, including a handful of veterans with MLS experience. The additions have bolstered depth, particularly in the spine of the Rapids’ defense.
Second-year head coach Pablo Mastroeni said the momentum is going in the right direction, and he’s enjoyed watching a higher level of competitiveness in training, and intense position battles across the park.
“Last year, I thought that’s not really a good thing, to have so many tough decisions to make,” Mastroeni said. “But then when you go through the experiences we did where you had a couple of tough injuries in a certain position and then you had so much youth on the bench, you start to think the other way.”
With the new MLS collective bargaining agreement done, the games can get underway in earnest and the Rapids can begin to forget about their 2014 nightmare.
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POSITION-BY-POSITION BREAKDOWN
Goalkeepers: Clint Irwin is expected to get the start Saturday. Zac MacMath is ineligible to compete against his parent club, the Philadelphia Union. The 23-year-old is on loan with Colorado. Mastroeni has not made a decision on which goalkeeper will get the bulk of the playing time in 2015.
Central defense: Injuries suffered by Shane O’Neill and Drew Moor last season often are pointed to as events that led to the Rapids’ demise. With that in mind, the Rapids brought in Axel Sjoberg and Bobby Burling as reinforcements. Also, Jared Watts began taking more reps at center back this preseason. With Moor still about two months from returning from a knee injury, the Rapids are expected to use some combination of O’Neill, Sjoberg and Burling early in the season.
Fullbacks: Longtime Rapids player Marvell Wynne departed to San Jose in the re-entry draft. Chris Klute, a year removed from leading Colorado in assists, was dealt to Columbus Crew SC. The Rapids brought in Michael Harrington from Portland, and he is expected to compete with Marc Burch for the starting left back position. At right back, the Rapids have given second-year pro Marlon Hairston a look. His speed and technical abilities play well there.
Holding midfielders: The additions of Sam Cronin, Marcelo Sarvas and Lucas Pittinari — hardworking, ball-winning and technically skilled players — make this one of Colorado’s strongest positions. Expect the three players to split time at two spots. Nick LaBrocca, who played in 31 games (29 starts) last season, adds depth.
Attacking midfielders: Designated player Gabriel Torres had a productive preseason and appears to have displaced two-time team MVP Dillon Powers for the starting central attacking midfield spot. Powers suffered an injury early in preseason play and has been working his way back. On the wings, expect to see some combination of Vicente Sanchez, Dillon Serna, Juan Ramirez and Carlos Alvarez.
Strikers: In the system the Rapids aspire to play, they will have a lone striker up top. Deshorn Brown — coming off back-to-back, 10-goal seasons — suffered an ankle injury early in training camp and still is struggling to find his form. Dominique Badji, a fourth-round SuperDraft pick, has made the most of his opportunities, scoring two preseason goals. He has made a strong case to earn a starting role.
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TOP FIVE STORYLINES
1. The Streak: It’s a storyline until it isn’t. The Rapids have not won an MLS game since July 25, 2014. When will they get back in the “W” column?
2. Defense? The Rapids conceded more goals than any other club in 2014. They spent much of the offseason bringing in reinforcements in central defense and defensive midfield. Will they be harder to break down in 2015?
3. Goals. Where do they come from? Deshorn Brown and Dillon Powers carried the load in 2014. The Rapids will need contributions from Gabriel Torres, Vicente Sanchez, Dillon Serna and newcomers Juan Ramirez and Dominique Badji.
4. Will it blend? In 2014, the Rapids were teeming with youth. This season, they’ve sprinkled in veterans with MLS experience. Will the final product produce a return to the playoffs in an improved Western Conference?
5. Front office. After seeing the club’s first-ever jersey sponsor deal end in a lawsuit, will the Rapids brass recover and find a new outfit to sponsor the club’s kits? Will Dick’s Sporting Goods Park be transformed into a fortress? How will the club parlay the 2015 All-Star Game into commercial success? And will Colorado land Kevin Doyle or another target striker on their shopping list?
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NEWCOMERS
Zac MacMath: The 23-year-old goalkeeper was acquired on a one-year from Philadelphia in January and was brought in to challenge for the starting keeper position. Per the terms of the deal, MacMath is not eligible to play in the season opener against the Union, who still retain his rights. The Rapids have the option to purchase his contract from Philadelphia in exchange for their highest 2016 first-round SuperDraft pick. Last season, the former University of Maryland product became the youngest goalkeeper in MLS history to make 100 starts.
Bobby Burling: A 2003 graduate of Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, the 30-year-old returns to Colorado to play for the team he grew up supporting. At 6-foot-5, the hulking central defender was acquired in December in the MLS Waiver Draft. Entering his ninth season, Burling adds depth to a position that was decimated by injuries in the second half of 2014.
Axel Sjöberg: The Rapids did their homework when it came to the towering 6-foot-7 Swedish central defender. Colorado traded up to No. 14 overall in the 2015 SuperDraft to grab the Marquette University standout. Captain Drew Moor said Sjöberg was “the highlight of the preseason.” His height makes him a bit of a liability 1-vs.-1, but also a weapon on set pieces, both with the final touch (he scored a game-winning goal in preseason) and using his head to provide second-ball service. The rookie has a strong pedigree, having come through the youth system for Sollentuna United FF of the Swedish second division. He could see the starting 11 early in the season.
Michael Harrington: The 29-year-old MLS veteran enters his ninth season in the league after spending time with Sporting Kansas City and Portland Timbers. The left fullback was acquired in a trade with Portland this offseason. Rapids Sporting Director Padraig Smith described Harrington as “a seasoned pro who can lock down that position.” Harrington is a player who likes to get up into the attack and deliver service into the box. He will compete with Marc Burch for the starting role at left back.
Lucas Pittinari: The 23-year-old Argentine midfielder was acquired on a one-year loan from Belgrano of the Primera División Argentina, where he made 70 appearances across all competitions over the last five seasons. A holding midfielder, Pittinari has been a pit bull in the preseason, while also showing he has the ability to deliver smart passes to spark the offense.
Sam Cronin: Few players receive universal praise like Cronin. It seems like no matter who you ask, they have nothing but good things to say about the 28-year-old defensive midfielder. Sporting Director Padraig Smith said the Rapids targeted the “wonderfully talented player” early on this offseason, landing him in a trade with San Jose Earthquakes. He’s an intelligent, hard working player who “knows how to snuff out danger,” according to Smith. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni will turn to Cronin to share the captain’s armband duties with Marcelo Sarvas until the club’s regular captain Drew Moor returns from injury.
Marcelo Sarvas: Perhaps the most important offseason acquisition for the Rapids, the 33-year-old Brazilian was acquired in a SuperDraft-day deal with Los Angeles Galaxy. A former teammate of Mastroeni in 2013, Sarvas was a key cog in L.A.’s last two MLS Cup titles, pairing with Juninho in central midfield. Beyond his strengths defensively, Sarvas is also very good at pulling the strings in the attack, and has 9 goals and 19 assists in 88 league games. “He’s a leader, he’s a winner. He’s somebody who will bring a huge amount of experience and football know-how to what is a young but incredibly talented corps,” Smith said. Sarvas is expected to start the season as the Rapids first-choice captain until Drew Moor returns from injury.
Juan Ramirez: The second designated player in Rapids’ history, the 21-year-old has been compared to Vicente Sanchez for his creativity in the attack. Signed as a young DP on Feb. 20 from Argentinos Juniors, Ramirez is a left-sided attacking midfielder who the Rapids plan to develop long-term. During the preseason, Ramirez showed flashes that he could be truly dangerous in the Rapids attack, especially when he’s able to get turned, face goal and take players on 1-v-1.
Caleb Calvert: The 18-year-old striker was acquired in the Chivas USA dispersal draft, as MLS disbanded the now-defunct Southern California team. Calvert was a Homegrown signee for Chivas USA and comes to Colorado with plenty of upside. He’s never seen the field during an MLS match, and could be a candidate to head out on loan to USL affiliate Charlotte Independence where he can get see more regular playing time.
Dominique Badji: The rise of the 22-year-old Senegalese striker has been remarkable this offseason. An early graduate from Boston University, Badji showed well in the MLS combine in January and was drafted in the fourth round (No. 67 overall) by the Rapids. He came into camp and earned a contract after scoring goals against UNLV and Sporting KC, and building a strong rapport with Gabriel Torres up top. He was signed Wednesday and has made a strong case to get the start at target striker in Saturday’s opener.
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PROJECTED OPENING-DAY LINEUP
Starters: Irwin, Hairston, O’Neill, Sjöberg, Harrington, Sarvas, Pittinari, Serna, Torres, Sanchez, Badji
Bench: John Berner, Burling, Burch, Cronin, Ramirez, Powers, Brown
Not expected to dress: MacMath, Grant Van De Casteele, Watts, John Neeskens, LaBrocca, Alvarez, Charles Eloundou, Calvert
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GAMES TO WATCH
March 21: vs. New York City FC
This match is the first ever between Colorado and the new expansion side owned by Manchester City FC. NYCFC boasts a star-studded lineup that includes David Villa and U.S. international Mix Diskerud, led by former RSL boss Jason Kreis.
April 18: vs. Seattle Sounders FC
The reigning Supporter Shield winners, featuring Obafemi Martins and U.S. captain Clint Dempsey, make their only visit to Colorado.
June 24: at Orlando City SC
Colorado takes on Orlando City SC for the first time since the Lions joined MLS. Orlando City SC feature Brazilian playmaker Kaka and U.S. international Brek Shea.
July 12: vs. Real Salt Lake
Colorado takes on arch rivals Real Salt Lake in the second match of the 2015 Rocky Mountain Cup. Winner of the three-game series takes home the silverware.
Aug. 1: vs. L.A. Galaxy
The defending MLS champion L.A. Galaxy, led by reigning league MVP Robbie Keane, make their lone visit to Commerce City.
Aug.14: at San Jose Earthquakes
Friday night lights. The Rapids make their first ever trip to Avaya Stadium, the Quakes’ $100 million new stadium. Some say it’s the best soccer venue in America.
Oct. 3: vs. Real Salt Lake
The final, and perhaps deciding, match of the 2015 Rocky Mountain Cup will be played in Commerce City. And if Rapids supporters get their wish, the game could have MLS Cup Playoff implications, as well.
