NFL
By Keith Richards
February 26, 2023. Mark it on your calendars. The 2023 Colorado Rapids MLS season kicks off against the Seattle Sounders. As much as Rapids fans would like to forget the 2022 campaign, it was unforgettable for mostly the wrong reasons. Before we dig into 2023, let’s quickly recap 2022.
In 2022, Colorado finished 10th in the Western Conference. While the 43 points they earned were only four points out of a playoff spot, it never really felt that close. While the Rapids did finish over 500 in the win-loss column, their 13 draws and minus 11 goal deferential were devastating.
Many matches were lost because of poor play on the back line and an inconsistent attack, which started from midfield. Looking forward to 2023, Colorado had holes to fill at LB, CB, and Striker. There were other areas of concern, but those are the biggest. How did they do? Now, let’s look at the 2023 Colorado Rapids.
When the 2023 campaign officially got underway, there were immediate losses that put Colorado behind. Some of those losses include:
Defender Lucas Esteves (Option declined)
Forward Gyasi Zardes (Signed with Austin FC)
Midfielder Felipe Gutierrez (Contract expired)
Midfielder Collen Warner (Waived)
While Warner mostly played spot duty, his loss was still huge in terms of locker culture and leadership. Esteves started 23 of the 34 matches for the Rapids in 2023. Guiterrez made 11 vital appearances in his short stint with the team. Zardes produced 10 goals and two assists. Needless to say, there is production that needs to be replaced. Have no fear. Colorado was busy in the 2023 Transfer Window.
Key players added to the Rapids roster in the 2023 Transfer Window that should provide immediate gains to the squad include:
Midfielder Cole Bassett (Recalled from loan)
Forward Kevin Cabral (Transferred from LA Galaxy)
Midfielder Connor Ronan (Acquired from Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Defender Andreas Maxso (Acquired from Brondby IF)
Defender Alex Gersbach (Acquired from Grenoble Foot 38)
Cabral is a wild card. In his two seasons with the Galaxy, Kevin started 47 matches in which he amassed six goals and five assists. Thus far, Cabral has not lived up to the expectations placed on him when he signed with LA. However, Kevin is only 23 and shows a lot of promise. With the Rapids not having a true 9 on the roster, he will have his opportunities.
Andreas Maxso is one of the biggest acquisitions for the Rapids this offseason. Maxso is 28 and has been a star for the past four seasons with Brondby IF in the Danish Superliga. In 2020-21, he captained the squad on their way to the league title. Padraig Smith calls Andreas an “experienced and physically imposing center back who has led his side to a championship in a strong European league.”
Smith also states that Maxso’s leadership and presence will be a great addition to the team this upcoming season. Another great addition is one at left back: Alex Gersbach. Gersbach (25 years old) spent two seasons with Grenoble Foot 38 in Ligue 2 in France. Before that, Alex played in Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and Norway since making his professional debut at age 17. Both Gersbach and Maxso inked three-year deals with a club option for a fourth. They will be fixtures for the Rapids in their prime years.
To help bolster the midfield, Colorado signed Connor Ronan from the Wolves of the English Premier League on a transfer deal. At 24, Ronan is another young talent who will be with the Rapids for several years. He inked a four-year deal with a club option for a fifth. In 2021, Connor played on loan with St. Mirren FC of the Scottish Premiership.
His eight goals and five assists earned him player of the year for the club. Ronan joined the Wolves at age 16 in 2014 and made his senior debut. Connor went on to make appearances in several high-profile competitions. Though still relatively young, Ronan has loads of experience and a cannon for a leg (see the clip above).
Last, but certainly not least, the Rapids have several pieces of their original squad returning. Brian Galvan returns from injury, Cole Bassett is returning from loan, Jack Price looks to have a much healthier season, and Sam Nicholson looks to continue to improve. Diego Rubio will remain to be the best player on the team.
In 2022, Rubio tallied 15 goals and six assists. Knowing the competitor he is, Diego will look to improve upon that in 2023. The player to look out for in 2023 is Darren Yapi. The 18-year-old forward is a homegrown product who has scored three goals so far this offseason. Many, like myself, believe he could be the answer at the 9 the Rapids are looking for. The Yapi Hype Train will soon be leaving the station. There’s still a chance to get on board.
So, how will the Rapids fare this season? Do I think they will be MLS champs? No, but I do believe the club has done enough to make strides forward. I’m officially predicting that the Colorado Rapids will be the sixth seed in the West and make it out of the first round in the playoffs. It’s a bold prediction, but they have the talent to make it happen.
With the 2023 MLS season less than a month away, be sure to follow the Team NBS Media coverage from last season. Be sure to watch out for us live on gamedays at MLS stadiums across the county, the best being here in Denver, Colorado!
