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.

University of Denver men’s soccer head coach Jamie Franks signs multi-year extension

June 2, 2023 at 2:06 p.m.

The University of Denver has been a force in college soccer in recent years, and that's not changing any time soon.

After sixth straight loss, Rapids hit rock bottom in standings and must rebound to avoid embarrassing “trophy”

June 1, 2023 at 4:49 p.m.

On the eve before one Kroenke Sports and Entertainment team was set to begin its quest for a first Larry O'Brien trophy, another team in the organization lost its sixth...

Forward Ally Schlegel, a Parker native, competes with the Chicago Red Stars during her rookie season. (Courtesy of the Chicago Red Stars)

Parker native Ally Schlegel continues to refine goal-scoring habits in rookie season with Chicago Red Stars

May 29, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.

It's a shame Chicago Red Stars forward Ally Schlegel hasn't been able to work on her fly-fishing casting technique the same way she has her goal-scoring habits.

Colorado drops fourth league game in a row, fifth overall in 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati

May 28, 2023 at 3:12 p.m.

In the debut of their "New Day" jerseys, the Colorado Rapids committed the same old mistakes in another losing effort.

ThunderRidge goalkeeper Becca Winton (0) makes a save as the Grizzlies go on to win 1-0 over the Rock Canyon Jaguars for the Class 5A high school girls soccer championship at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on May 25, 2023 in Commerce City. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Class 5A girls soccer: ThunderRidge goalkeeper Becca Winton’s masterful second-half saves clinch Grizzlies’ fourth state title

May 25, 2023 at 10:18 p.m.

ThunderRidge goalkeeper Becca Winton produced a career-high nine saves as the Grizzlies held on to beat Rock Canyon in the Class 5A state championship.

Colorado Rapids knocked out of U.S. Open Cup at home by Real Salt Lake, miss chance to reach quarterfinals for first time since 2007

May 24, 2023 at 11:39 p.m.

Real Salt Lake is the Colorado Rapids' bogeyman. Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup defeat in the Round of 16 only confirmed it.

Dakota Ridge鈥檚 midfielder Bailey Pignatore (15), third from the left, celebrates he goal with teammates at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on May 23, 2023 in Commerce City, Colorado. Dakota Ridge Eagles beat the Lutheran Lions for the Class 4A girls soccer championship. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Class 4A Girls Soccer: Dakota Ridge shuts out Lutheran’s lethal attack, holds on to win first title since 2003

May 23, 2023 at 10:54 p.m.

Of all the moments when a back pass can go awry, the instance in Tuesday night's Class 4A girls soccer title game seemed particularly cruel.

Real Salt Lake defender Brayan Vera, right, collects the ball as Colorado Rapids midfielder Sam Nicholson tumbles to the pitch in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rapids unable to climb back from two-goal deficit in 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake

May 21, 2023 at 4:21 p.m.

Going down two goals 鈥� twice 鈥� against a team's bitter rival is enough to drive a head coach to give a blunt one-sentence, 11-word opening remark following a loss.

Dayspring Christian Academy鈥檚 Eboselulu Omofoma runs in the Class 2A girls 100 meter hurdles at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood on Saturday, May, 20, 2023. (Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post)

State titles taste even sweeter for first-generation athletes Eboselulu, Odone Omofoma of Dayspring Christian, Daniel Baroumbaye of Grand Junction Central

May 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Athletes reflect on titles sacrifice parents made to reach top of podium

Grandview junior Gabriella Cunningham races her way to the Class 5A 100-meter hurdling title on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado.

Colorado state track meet, Day 3: Live results from Jeffco Stadium

May 20, 2023 at 7:24 p.m.

It抖阴ap Day 3 of the Colorado high school state track and field meet at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. The Denver Post is there throughout the weekend providing live coverage.

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