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.

Columbus Crew's Luis Diaz, left, and CF Montreal's Joel Waterman chase the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Rapids acquire Costa Rican winger Luis D铆az off waivers ahead of final eight-game push

September 7, 2023 at 5:51 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids brought in a speedster on Thursday, claiming Costa Rican international winger Luis D铆az off of waivers.

United States' Sophia Smith, right, celebrates with United States' Crystal Dunn after scoring her side's 2nd goal during the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, July 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)

Windsor’s Sophia Smith named Ballon d’Or nominee for best female soccer player in world

September 6, 2023 at 4:47 p.m.

Windsor native Sophia Smith was named a nominee for the 2023 Ballon d'Or on Wednesday, putting her in the running to be named the world's top female soccer player.

Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rapids part ways with head coach Robin Fraser as dismal 2023 campaign drags on

September 5, 2023 at 7:29 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids have parted ways with head coach Robin Fraser, the club announced Tuesday morning.

Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake Takeaways: Disappointment at highest levels after 2-0 loss

September 3, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

It was the final nail in the coffin for the Colorado Rapids' 2023 campaign.

Colorado Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett (26) ...

Rapids’ Cole Bassett readies for Rocky Mountain Cup: “I’ve always hated Salt Lake so I wanna beat ’em”

September 1, 2023 at 9:47 p.m.

COMMERCE CITY -- The energy at Friday's Colorado Rapids practice at Field 20 of Dick's Sporting Goods Park matched the urgency of the moment.

No. 2 Mines takes on No. 3 Grand Valley State at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden on Aug. 31, 2023. Photo by Brendan Ploen, Special to The Denver Post

Late 41-yard field goal lifts No. 2 Colorado School of Mines past No. 3 Grand Valley State in season opener

August 31, 2023 at 11:12 p.m.

Hunter Pearson drills late field goal for key early-season win

Colorado Rapids midfielder Connor Ronan (20), center, passes while challenged by Minnesota United midfielder Will Trapp (20), right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Takeaways from Rapids 3-0 loss to Minnesota United as Colorado falls to worst record in the league

August 31, 2023 at 12:48 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids are staring at a 14'er-sized gap between them and the summit of the MLS standings.

Colorado School of Mines quarterback John Matocha (10) looks for an open receiver in the second half of the NCAA Division II college football championship against the Ferris State on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 in McKinney, Texas. Last year, Matocha passed for a nation-leading 4,778 yards and 52 touchdowns and led the Orediggers to 13 straight wins and the national championship game following an 0-2 start. (AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe, File)

Under new head coach Pete Sterbick, John Matocha and Colorado School of Mines look to capture lightning in a bottle to win football title

August 29, 2023 at 7:44 p.m.

Since quarterback John Matocha and offensive coordinator Pete Sterbick first began working with each other in the spring of 2019, they've had one goal in mind: Capture lightning in a...

Takeaways from Colorado Rapids’ 4-0 loss at LAFC as Robin Fraser addresses job security after disheartening loss

August 24, 2023 at 3:18 p.m.

The Apple TV broadcast cameras panned to Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser Wednesday night, who appeared to be in the middle of a thousand-yard stare. It's not the first...

Blake Barnett (3) of the Erie High School football team poses for a portrait during the Broncos/CHSAA Fall Media Day at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)

Erie quarterback Blake Barnett is done losing sleep over past two postseason heartbreaks as he looks to guide Tigers to 4A crown

August 24, 2023 at 5:48 a.m.

For all the success and meteoric-like rise Blake Barnett has experienced in his two seasons as Erie's starting quarterback, it's the losses that linger.

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