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.

Rafael Navarro of Brazil's Palmeiras, left, is challenged by Eddie Guevara of Ecuador's Emelec during a Copa Libertadores soccer match at Allianz Parque stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Rapids briefs: Colorado’s road game against LAFC rescheduled due to Hurricane Hilary; Rapids 2 makes history

August 19, 2023 at 4:58 p.m.

The Colorado Rapids' return to Major League Soccer play will have to wait a few days longer.

Ralston Valley defense delivers key second-half stops, limiting Week Zero quarterback duel against Mountain Vista

August 18, 2023 at 10:42 p.m.

For two of the leading passers in the state to do battle in the opening week of the season, it quickly turned into a defensive duel.

Padraig Smith, general manager of the Colorado Rapids, looks on in the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Three takeaways from Rapids president P谩draig Smith’s summer media availability

August 15, 2023 at 6:46 p.m.

With a majority of the schedule in the books, and his team sitting in last place in the Western Conference of MLS, Colorado Rapids president P谩draig Smith faced the music.

Jamaica's coach Lorne Donaldson gestures on the touchline during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on August 2, 2023. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Led by Real Colorado’s Lorne Donaldson, Jamaica reaches round of 16 at Women’s World Cup

August 4, 2023 at 1:15 p.m.

Colorado Rapids assistant head coach Wolde Harris saw the potential in a Lorne Donaldson-led Jamaican national team before anyone else.

Colorado Rapids forward Michael Barrios (12) in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Rapids trade fan-favorite winger Michael Barrios to LA Galaxy for first-round draft pick, GAM

August 3, 2023 at 4:06 p.m.

With the final moves of the MLS secondary transfer window being announced Thursday, the Colorado Rapids made a pair of moves official.

Leicester's Sidnei Tavares runs with the ball away from Brighton's Adam Lallana, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City at the AMEX Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, March 6, 2021. (AP photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)

Source: Rapids add 21-year-old midfielder, former Leicester City product Sidnei Tavares on Deadline Day loan deal

August 2, 2023 at 10:09 p.m.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Rapids are bringing in 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Sidnei Tavares from Porto FC's second team on a loan deal through June...

Colorado Rapids midfielder Bryan Acosta, right, launches a shot on the net past St. Louis City defender John Nelson during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Ahead of MLS transfer deadline, Colorado Rapids make a pair of outbound trades as Bryan Acosta, Anthony Markanich depart

August 1, 2023 at 6:34 p.m.

With just over 24 hours to go in the 2023 MLS secondary transfer market window, on Tuesday the Colorado Rapids dealt a pair of players to fellow Western Conference playoff...

Colorado Rapids exit Leagues Cup in disappointing fashion with 4-1 loss to Mexican side Toluca

August 1, 2023 at 12:00 a.m.

The Colorado Rapids' time in the latest edition of Leagues Cup tournament lasted the minimum: Two games and an early exit.

United States' Lindsey Horan, top right, heads the ball to score her team's first goal during the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)

WATCH: Golden native, USWNT captain Lindsey Horan levels the score at 1-1 vs. Netherlands

July 26, 2023 at 8:56 p.m.

When the United States Women's National Team needed a big-time player in Wednesday's game against the Netherlands, it was Golden native and team captain Lindsey Horan who delivered it.

Fans react during the first half as they gather at The Three Lions on July 1, 2014, to watch the United States take on Belgium in the World Cup. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

As Women’s World Cup fever hits, DirecTV/NextStar dispute keeps Front Range fans in the dark

July 21, 2023 at 6:17 p.m.

Sports fans and sports bars across the Front Range have gotten used to carriage disputes that have denied viewers a chance to watch marquee events on television.

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