Joseph Lowery
Where we left off last year
2024 season: 50 points, 7th in the Western Conference, 12th in MLS
The Colorado Rapids were an entirely respectable team in 2024, ending their season by bowing out against the LA Galaxy in Round One of the playoffs. They finished seventh in the West, qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup thanks to their Leagues Cup run, and generally improved from their disastrous we-only-won-five-games-and-finished-bottom-of-the-West 2023 season.
Chris Armas brought a refreshed, effective tactical approach to the table in his first year as manager. Djordje Mihailovic was one of the league’s better attacking midfielders in his return to MLS, Cole Bassett thrived in a box-to-box midfield role, and Moise Bombito lit the league on fire at center back before earning a summer move for a record outgoing fee for an MLS center back.
Poor goalkeeping play from Zack Steffen in the regular season and middling production from the top-earners on their roster hurt Colorado’s ceiling last year. Still, progress is progress.
What changed in the offseason
Notable arrivals:
- Chidozie Awaziem, CB: After Bombito’s midseason exit, the Rapids were hurting for high-level center back options. Awaziem, who was acquired in a trade for FC Cincinnati in exchange for a chunk of allocation money, fills an obvious need. The 28-year-old is in his prime, looked sharp to end the season for Cincy, and adds a well-rounded skill set to the middle of Colorado’s backline.
