Brendan Ploen

Brendan Ploen is a freelance sports reporter for The Denver Post, covering the Colorado Rapids, Colorado soccer news, preps and more. He started writing for the publication in December 2020. He previously covered preps, outdoors and college sports for The Durango Herald from 2018-20, and before that, worked in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sports department. A Chicago native, he is a Marquette University graduate.

Antwerp's Sam Vines celebrates after winning a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC RAFC and RFC Seraing, Friday 16 September 2022 in Antwerp, a match on day 9 of the 2022-2023 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. (Photo by TOM GOYVAERTS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)

Colorado Springs native Sam Vines to miss World Cup for USMNT with broken tibia

November 5, 2022 at 10:39 a.m.

Colorado Springs native Sam Vines will miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar for the United States Men's National Team after sustaining a broken tibia.

Costa Rica's Daniel Chacon controls the ball during a friendly soccer match against South Korea in Goyang, South Korea, Friday Sept. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Colorado Rapids 2 midfielder Daniel Chac贸n makes final roster for Costa Rican World Cup squad

November 4, 2022 at 6:17 p.m.

Even without having worn the burgundy and blue yet, the Colorado Rapids will have at least one representative at the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this month in Qatar.

Rocky Mountain High School鈥檚 QB Gage Brook (17) runs the ball down field against Mountain Vista High School during class 5A state playoff game at Halftime Help Stadium on November 3, 2022 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Rocky Mountain records four takeaways to upset Mountain Vista in Class 5A state playoffs

November 3, 2022 at 10:25 p.m.

There was always going to be a CHSAA first-round state playoff game Thursday night, weather be darned.

Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith, left, kicks the ball against Kansas City Current defender Addisyn Merrick, right, during the first half of the NWSL championship soccer match, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Three Coloradans called into final United States Women’s National Team camp of 2022

October 31, 2022 at 6:54 p.m.

As the North American women's soccer calendar is coming to an end, there's still one last push for 2022: the final FIFA international window of the year.

Jeff Plush, center, with MLS commisioner Don Garber, left, and Rapids owner Stan Kroenke in 2007.

Former Colorado Rapids managing director, NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush resigns from USA Curling in fallout from abuse investigation

October 28, 2022 at 11:12 p.m.

On Friday evening, USA Curling announced that CEO Jeff Plush resigned amid mounting pressure in the wake of an investigation which revealed he failed to act on allegations of sexual...

Kristen McNabb of San Diego Wave FC and Sophia Smith, front, of Portland Thorns FC race for the ball during the NWSL semifinals at Providence Park on October 23, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

NWSL Championship: Six Coloradans part of primetime showdown between Portland and Kansas City

October 28, 2022 at 7:57 p.m.

For a state that has no women's professional soccer team, Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game will have a definitive Colorado feel to it 鈥� even if it will...

United States鈥� forward Sophia Smith answers questions from the press pool before practicing at the UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, Colorado, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. The U.S. women鈥檚 national soccer team is scheduled to play friendlies against Colombia in Denver, Saturday, June 25, 2022. (Photo by Jintak Han/The Denver Post)

Windsor native Sophia Smith wins 2022 NWSL MVP, becoming youngest-ever to earn honor

October 27, 2022 at 4:44 p.m.

Sophia Smith is in elite company.

Columbine High School celebrates defeating Douglas County during the 5A CSHAA Championship softball game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at Aurora Sports Park. The Columbine Rebels defeated the Huskies 7-3. (Photo by Daniel Brenner/Special to The Denver Post)

5A State Softball: Columbine’s three freshmen produce four RBIs in 7-3 title-clinching win over Douglas County

October 22, 2022 at 7:48 p.m.

In order for Columbine softball to have a different ending than last year, they needed a few fresh faces.

Lutheran High School's Hailey Maestretti (30) pitches during the 4A CSHAA Championship softball game against Holy Family Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at Aurora Sports Park. The Lutheran Lions defeated the Holy Family Tigers 3-0. (Photo by Daniel Brenner/Special to The Denver Post)

4A State Softball: Lutheran’s Hailey Maestretti pitches Lions to second straight title with 17-strikeout masterpiece

October 22, 2022 at 7:15 p.m.

Utah commit's four-hitter gives Lions state championship in first year at 4A

COMMERCE CITY, CO - JUNE 25: Mallory Pugh, (9), left, Alex Morgan (13), and Lindsey Horan, (10) hug Sophia Smith (11), with back to camera, after she scored a goal in the second period of the USWNT friendly between the U.S. Women脮s National Team and Colombia at Dick脮s Sporting Goods Park on June 25, 2022 in Commerce City, Colorado. US beat Colombia 3-0. As part of its 脪One Nation脫 social responsibility platform to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), U.S. Soccer has partnered with the You Can Play Project for the fourth consecutive year to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month during its friendly matches in June. The You Can Play Project is an organization dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, coaches, fans no matter their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

United States Women’s National Team draws Netherlands, Vietnam in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

October 22, 2022 at 1:56 p.m.

The realization of another Women's World Cup for the United States Women's National Team just got a whole lot more real.

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