NFL
By Keith Richards
The football season can begin now that the NFL season is over! Next Tuesday, the Colorado Rapids start their 2025 season campaign across all competitions. A few days after that, the Rapids begin their 2025 MLS campaign. The 2024 season for Colorado was filled with ups and downs. However, you have to say it was a successful season for Chris Armas and the Colorado Rapids.
Let’s look at how the 2024 Rapids finished:
- 7th in the Western Conference
- 50 points
- 61 goals scored; 60 goals allowed
- 15-14-5 record (10-4-3 at home and 5-10-2 away)
- 3rd Place Leagues Cup finish
- Clinched CONCACAF Champions Cup appearance
In 2024, Colorado started the season a little slow. Then, the Rapids got hot for a stretch. Unfortunately, the Colorado Rapids faded down the stretch. In 2025, the Rapids will look to have more consistency throughout the season. Can they be more consistent and build off a strong 2024?
First, we’ll look at their roster and how it stands today. Second, we’ll discuss each position group. Last, we’ll predict how we think the season will end for the Colorado Rapids. Strap in! This is our 2025 Colorado Rapids Season Preview!
The 2025 Roster
Unlike the 2024 season, the Rapids come into the 2025 season with less change. There are some players no longer on the squad. There are some new players as well. However, it’s a more cohesive unit to start the season. Here’s what Colorado looks like right now heading into their CONCACAF Champions Cup match on Tuesday:
Midfield –
- Djordje Mihailovic – Designated Player
- Cole Bassett – Homegrown
- Omir Fernandez
- Oli Larraz – Homegrown
- Connor Ronan – International
- Sam Bassett – Homegrown
- Ali Fadal – International (pending ITC and P-1 Visa)
- Ted Ku-DiPietro
Goalkeeper –
- Zack Steffen – TAM
- Adam Beaudry – Homegrown
Forward –
- Calvin Harris
- Darren Yapi – Homegrown
- Kevin Cabral – Designated Player
- Kimani Stewart-Baynes – Generation Adidas
- Rafael Navarro – Designated Player, International
- Wayne Frederick
Defender –
- Keegan Rosenberry – Captain
- Sam Vines – Homegrown, TAM
- Mike Edwards – Homegrown
- Ian Murphy
- Jackson Travis – Homegrown
- Andreas Maxso – International, TAM
- Nate Jones – Loaned Out (Las Vegas Lights FC)
- Chidozie Awaziem
- Reggie Cannon – TAM
2025 Midfield Preview
The 2025 Colorado Rapids Midfield is not so different than the 2024 one. The only player no longer in the midfield from 2024 is Jasper Loffelsend. Loffelsend was made available for the San Diego FC expansion draft. To the surprise of many, San Diego selected Jasper. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that. However, that is neither here nor there.
There were, though, three additions to the midfield. The Rapids acquired Ted Ku-DiPietro from D.C. United using the new MLS cash-for-player system. For Ku-DiPietro, Rapids sent DC $1.125 million. DC United may receive an additional $275,000 if Ted meets certain performance criteria and retains a future sell-on percentage.
In 65 appearances with DC United, Ted Ku-DiPietro contributed 14 goals (seven goals and seven assists). His best year came in the 2023 season when he had five goals and three assists. In 2024, Ku-DiPietro regressed slightly, but it’s hard to put that on Ted. The formations were a mess for DC United in 2024. It’s hard to assess his performance somewhat based on everything happening there.
Still, Colorado Rapids President Padraig Smith is high on TKDP. Smith stated, “Ted has already showcased his talent at the MLS level during his first three years in the league and he’ll bring an added attacking threat to our group. He has the speed to challenge teams in behind and off the dribble and the quality and creativity to operate in the pocket. His qualities on the ball and exceptional work rate make him an ideal fit for our game model and we look forward to seeing him in burgundy.”
Ku-DiPietro will likely excel in Chris Armas’ because of the work rate Padraig mentions. Armas likes to press and attack relentlessly whenever possible. Envisioning Ted opposite of Kevin Cabral or Calvin Harris on the attack is tantalizing. Also, his speed, once he acclimates to the higher elevation, will help Colorado continue to make Dick’s Sporting Goods Park a nightmare for opposing teams.
Ali Fadal is another midfield addition. Many of the Colorado Rapids faithful find the Fadal acquisition puzzling. Ali joins the Rapids from Valencia CF Mestalla’s B squad. In his 31 appearances, Ali Fadal recorded one assist. More importantly, Fadal joins Colorado on a first-team contract. It’s puzzling because Fadal does not come to the Rapids with loads of first-team experience.
It would have made more sense if Ali Fadal had signed a Rapids 2 contract. He seems like a perfect fit for Rapids 2. Instead, Ali is on a two-year contract with the first team with options for 2027 and 2028. Furthermore, Fadal will occupy a valuable International spot. This is not to say that Ali Fadal is incapable of greatness. The point is that we don’t know.
We know that Ali can play the 6 and the 8. The Colorado Rapids have been searching for a player to fill the vacancy at the 6 for a couple of seasons now. So far, they have been unsuccessful in filling that hole. Maybe Ali Fadal is the answer. Perhaps he is not. It seems like a considerable risk for such a vital position in the midfield.
Last but certainly not least, Sam Bassett also joins the Colorado Rapids midfield. Sam joins Colorado after a successful stint at the NCCA level with the University of Denver. In 2024, Bassett was named the National Player of the Year by Top Drawer Soccer. In addition, Sam was named a finalist for the 2024 Hermann Trophy. During his 77 appearances with the Pioneers, Sam Bassett had 50 goal contributions (24 goals and 26 assists).
The biggest key for the Rapids midfield this season will be health. After a successful League Cup run, Cole Bassett missed most of the remainder of the season. Making matters worse, star player Djordje Mihailovic was also injured at the end of the season. With Bassett missing and Mihailovic hobbling, the Rapids midfield suffered greatly.
If Mihailovic and Bassett stay healthy, the newcomers will feel less pressure. This gives them, as well as players like Larraz and Ronan, the opportunity to enhance team performance, which is not a necessity.
2025 Goalkeepers
As goalkeeper, Zack Steffen will continue to be the man in 2025. Colorado is placing its trust in young homegrown Adam Beaudry as the backup. While the Leagues Cup was Steffen’s season’s highlight, there were also lowlights. In their last regular season match and two playoff matches, the Rapids allowed 12 goals.
One metric you will hear concerning Zack Steffen is Post-Shot Expected Goal (PSxG), which is the expected goal based on how likely a goalkeeper is to save a shot. For Zack, it was not good. While advanced stats can sometimes paint a skewed picture, it doesn’t mean they’re always wrong. Steffen will need to improve for the Colorado Rapids to improve in 2025. I think he does improve.
2025 Forwards
Colorado has yet to add to the forward position in 2025. The only omission is Jonathan Lewis. Jonny’s contract expired at the end of the season, and the two sides could not agree on a new one. Already, the forwards will be down a player to start the season. Homegrown player Darren Yapi is expected to miss a couple of months with a shoulder injury.
Like the midfield, health is the biggest key to the forwards’ success in 2025. After a slow start, the forwards, especially Rafael Navarro and Kevin Cabral, picked up steam as the season progressed. Things started to go south when Kevin Cabral went down to injury. Cabral ended up missing 11 matches in the 2024 season. His missing production was a big part of the late-season collapse.
Still, the forwards significantly improved in 2024. In 2023, they scored only 10 goals. In 2024, they scored 29 goals. Rafael Navarro surpassed the 2023 total on his own with 15 goals. If the forwards continue to improve and score at that pace, it will take the pressure off the backline that struggled in 2024. With Yapi being out, Kimani Stewart-Baynes can stake his claim for more first-team minutes. I think the forwards will improve if Kevin Cabral plays at the same level as before his injury. At the least, the team will match the 61 goals scored in 2024. It’s possible, though, that the team will inch closer to 70 goals in 2025.
2025 Defenders
Year-over-year, this is the position group that has the most turnover. Daniel Chacon, Lalas Abubakar, Seb Anderson, and Moise Bombito are all gone. Chacon would never take the field with the first team while with the Colorado Rapids. Only three players who made over 20 appearances in 2024 remain on the backline. Those players are Keegan Rosenberry, Sam Vines, and Andreas Maxso.
The Colorado Rapids acquired three new defenders, Reggie Cannon, Chidozie Awaziem, and Ian Murphy, to replenish and rejuvenate their ranks. Yes, Cannon was acquired last season, but he only made six appearances with the team. As for Awaziem and Murphy, the Rapids sent considerable resources to FC Cincinnati to obtain them.
Cincinnati received $1 million in GAM in the trade. If Chidozie and Ian meet the threshold of specific performance metrics, they’ll be eligible for up to an additional $200,000 in GAM. At 27, Chidozie Awaziem is in the prime of his career and has loads of experience. Awaziem made 14 appearances for FC Cincinnati last season. In addition, Chidozie has almost 300 appearances with various clubs across Europe. More than likely, he will start at center back next to Andreas Maxso to start the season.
Ian Murphy is still young but comes with loads of experience as well. Murphy is only 24 years old but made 105 appearances for Cincy across all competitions. Murphy adds much-needed depth to the center-back position. Most likely, he will compete with Michael Edwards for pitch time. If Colorado goes as deep into tournaments as Coach Armas desires, both may be called upon often. Just as much as goalkeeper Zack Steffen needs to improve in 2025, the backline needs to improve much more.
In 2024, Colorado was in the league’s top half in terms of goals scored, with 61. However, the Rapids were in the league’s bottom half regarding goals allowed, with 60. For the team to improve, they need to widen that gap. With the additions made to the backline, I think the Colorado Rapids will decrease goals allowed by 10-15. If that happens, it significantly improves the Rapids’ chances of getting a home playoff match.
The 2025 Season Prediction
Season predictions are tricky. While the Colorado Rapids have not made the splashy moves that many other teams in the Western Conference have, they are arguably the most static team in the Western Conference heading into 2025. That could be a gift for the Rapids. While other teams try to gel, Colorado should already be well-oiled.
However, it could also be a curse. It could mean the teams with many new faces are leaving the Rapids behind. It’s hard to say. While the Rapids did crash out of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, they were an excellent team for a big chunk of the 2024 season. Success in 2025 will depend on how far they go in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions and Leagues Cup.
Head Coach Chris Armas will tell you the team wants all the trophies. That may not be what’s best for the team, though. I do not believe the Colorado Rapids will advance far in either of the tournaments, which will be best for the team. It will give them fresher legs for the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, which is the cup that matters most.
Last season, I picked the Colorado Rapids to be a top-six team. This season, I’m making that exact prediction. This time, though, I will take it further and say that Colorado Rapids will be the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They will advance past the first round to take it one more step further. However, I will not be so bold as to say they will win it all. Sorry, fans. Not this season. Much will need to go their way, but I believe the Colorado Rapids will have another special season.
