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A day after signing with the Rapids, midfielder Enzo Martinez got the start in Colorado’s first CONCACAF Champions League game since 2011.

Martinez finished in the top three in MVP voting in the United Soccer League in each of the past two seasons while playing for the Rapids’ affiliate Charlotte Independence.

The former North Carolina Tar Heel, who started in a right-center attacking midfield role, was one of six players acquired this offseason who got the start in coach Anthony Hudson’s Rapids debut. The other five were defenders Edgar Castillo, Tommy Smith and Deklan Wynne, midfielder Jack Price and striker Jack McBean.

Axel Sits. Former MLS best-eleven center back was not only dropped from the Rapids’ starting lineup, he did not dress Tuesday.

Hudson rolled out his 3-5-2 formation with defenders Kortne Ford, Smith and Wynne along the back line — a sign that the 6-foot-7 Swede could have trouble finding minutes in central defense this season.

Strike Force. Colorado on Tuesday acquired new strikers Joe Mason and Niki Jackson.

Mason, 26, was acquired on loan from the Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he was teammates with the newly acquired Price. Colorado used targeted allocation money to acquire Mason, a traditional No. 9 who scored 42 goals during his time in the English second division — averaging a goal every 2.88 games. He will join the team once his P1 visa and ITC transfer certificate are received.

Jackson, the Rapids’ fourth-round MLS SuperDraft pick this season, had a strong preseason and earned an MLS contract Tuesday. The 22-year-old from Grand Canyon University was available off the bench Tuesday.