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.

Denver East's Rosie Mucharsky crosses the finish line to win the Class 5A girls title during the CHSAA state cross country championships at Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs on Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Brad Cochi/Special to The Denver Post)

Denver East’s Rosie Mucharsky, Chaparral’s Brennan Draper top podium at Class 5A state cross country meet

October 28, 2023 at 7:33 p.m.

COLORADO SPRINGS -- When Rosie Mucharsky's signature "Beast Mode" takes over, good luck trying to catch her.

Battle Mountain's Will Brunner crosses the finish line to win the Class 54 boys title during the CHSAA state cross country championships at Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs on Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Brad Cochi/Special to The Denver Post)

State cross country: Battle Mountain’s Will Brunner shovels snow one day, claims Class 4A boys title the next

October 28, 2023 at 5:27 p.m.

Battle Mountain senior Will Brunner's prep for the snowy CHSAA cross country state championships? Shoveling snow off the field for the Huskies' state soccer playoff game on Friday.

Colorado Rapids forward Diego Rubio celebrates ...

Colorado Rapids part ways with striker Diego Rubio, making him a free agent

October 26, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids have begun their offseason makeover.

Colorado Rapids attacker Dominique Badji (8) ...

Colorado Rapids decline team captain Jack Price’s contract option for 2024; return to England likely

October 26, 2023 at 4:35 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids issued a heartfelt goodbye to a pillar of the club on Thursday.

LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo, left, ...

Rapids Takeaways: As worst season in club history concludes with loss to Real Salt Lake, Diego Rubio hints at exit

October 22, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

At last, the Colorado Rapids' 2023 season is over.

Lutheran Lions players Kiley Glenn, left, and Mackenzie Glenn embrace after defeating Riverdale Ridge to win the Class 4A softball championship game at Aurora Sports Park on Oct. 21, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

4A softball: Lutheran claims third straight title with win over Riverdale Ridge as Hailey Maestretti goes out on top

October 22, 2023 at 11:20 a.m.

Facing a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth inning against No. 2 Riverdale Ridge in the Class 4A softball final, Lutheran junior catcher Malea Yoxsimer believed in her...

Chatfield Chargers Karlie Cooledge (12) holds the Colorado State 5A championship softball trophy after defeating the Erie Tigers 11-3 at the Aurora Sports Park October 21, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

Class 5A Softball: Chatfield uses seven-run fourth to charge past Erie and claim first title since 1997

October 21, 2023 at 6:15 p.m.

It wasn't often the Chatfield softball team found itself in tight, one-run games during the 2023 season. Even when they were in those sorts of games, one inning was enough...

Colorado Rapids forward Rafael Navarro controls the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Rapids Takeaways: Rafael Navarro scores first goal for Colorado in tie vs. FC Dallas

October 14, 2023 at 10:30 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids had MLS Cup hopefuls FC Dallas on the ropes in the penultimate game of the 2023 campaign.

Columbine High School running back Josh Snyder (21) rush against Arvada West defense at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood on Friday, October 13, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Despite slow start, Columbine whittles another team down to the bone in 42-14 win over Arvada West

October 13, 2023 at 10:22 p.m.

The Columbine coaching staff got onto their players about the sluggish start against Arvada West on Friday as the No. 2 team in 5A found themselves knotted at 14-all.

Jack Wilshere of the yellow team during the Game4Ukraine charity match at Stamford Bridge on August 5, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Legend Andriy Shevchenko, Arsenal player and Ukraine captain Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the support of President Zelenskyy's UNITED24 initiative, will be joined by leading players and icons from the world of TV, sport, film and music in aid of Ukraine. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Colorado Rapids considering Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere for head coach job, according to reports

October 12, 2023 at 7:20 p.m.

Since becoming the head figure at the Colorado Rapids in 2018, club president P谩draig Smith has significantly built up and enhanced the connections with its sister club, Arsenal FC of...

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