NFL
By Keith Richards
Fifteen days into the new year, there is a new feeling surrounding the Colorado Rapids. After the signing of a new coach and a flurry of signings of prominent new players, only one word can describe the feeling surrounding the 2024 Rapids squad: Excited.
From Padraig Smith to Keegan Rosenberry to new signing Djordje Mihailovic, excited is the term that was most used at 2024 Rapids Media Day. As the snow blanketed the field today, it was almost symbolic. The blanket of snow covers the stink of last season and will wipe the slate clean for 2024. As cold as the negative temperatures may be, excitement and warmth fill the inside of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as they look to move on from an abysmal 2023 season.
The team is excited for 2024, but will 2024 be exciting for the fans? I analyze some of the key statements made in 2024’s Rapids Media Day to see if the fans are warranted in their new wave of excitement or if they will be disappointed like they were in 2023.
Padraig Smith and Chris Armas
Today, Chris Armas and Padraig Smith were the same as they were at the introductory press conference of the Rapids’ new coach. You’d be hard-pressed to find two individuals more excited about this upcoming season than those two. After all, winning is the most important goal for Armas and Smith, but the fans being excited about the team is a close second.
For Padraig and Chris, one reason to be excited is the perceived willingness of KSE to build a successful club. Matt Pollard of the Burgundy Wave asked Padraig Smith how different, or supportive, the ownership has been in helping the club to prove something and be successful in 2024.
Smith stated, “Ownership continues to provide the support that we need. That’s always been there. From our perspective, we’ve said this all along, it’s what we do with that. How we go about building the right roster, the right way, and have that alignment throughout the entire organization.”
In regards to how that roster needed to be built, Padraig would continue to say, “We knew last year wasn’t good enough. So, we knew what we had to do and we had a plan in place for that going back quite some time. We’re thrilled that we continue to get the input, advice, and support from ownership that we need from ownership to put a competitive team on the field.”
It’s not as if the Rapids didn’t spend in 2023. They brought in players like Andreas Maxso, Connor Ronan, and Alex Gersbach. Some of those players have worked really well, but some have not. The players they have brought for 2024 just seem to take that to a new, excited level in 2024. Those players include:
- Zack Steffen (Keeper)
- Djordje Mihailovic (attacking mid)
- Jasper Loffelsend (defensive mid)
- Omir Fernandez (wing/attacking mid)
They’re still not done either. The team is still looking to shore up the left-back and defensive midfield positions. One report that has the fanbase excited is the potential return of Colorado Rapids’ homegrown player Sam Vines. Now 24 years old, Vines made a splash with the Rapids when he signed a Homegrown deal at the age of 18. He quickly rose to prominence with the team and earned caps for the USMNT team. After transferring and spending almost three seasons with Royal Antwerp F.C., it seems that Sam may be coming home.
I asked Padraig about his confidence level of adding another six to go alongside Loffelseend. Smith stated, “I feel very confident about it. We’ve narrowed it down to a small number of players that we’re talking to. We’ve met with a number of them and I think we’re in discussions now with clubs as well to try and finalize that role.” Padraig would continue to say, “We’ve looked with the league, we’ve also looked extensively outside the league to find that right profile to complement the group.”
“We’re incredibly excited about the group that we’ve been able to build.” That is the main thing to take away from the feeling of Armas and Smith heading into this 2024 season.
Cole Bassett and Keegan Rosenberry
With the departure of players like Jack Price, Danny Wilson, and Diego Rubio, two of the most veteran players on the Rapids squad are Cole Bassett and Keegan Rosenberry. Bassett and Rosenberry have between with the team through the good and the bad. So, to say that they’re excited as the “senior” players of the team is an understatement.
Braidon Nourse of the Denver Post asked the two how excited they were about the upcoming season with all of the moves made by the front office. Rosenberry said, “It’s exciting for all of us. We met as a group for the first time just the other day. Some of the new staff and new players got up in front of the room and introduced themselves to everyone. I think every single person used the words ‘excited’ and ‘exciting’.”
Keegan would continue by saying, “I echo that. I told Padraig and Wayne the first time I saw them in the locker room. It might be a little odd but they’ve done such a good job this offseason that it’s been fun for us to watch and track.”
Bassett would echo the excitement of Rosenberry. While lamenting some of the players leaving the club this season, Cole also stated, “It does bring new faces, and that brings excitement. I think that’s how we feel. It’s one of the big reasons why I decided to stay and sign on longer is kind of talking with Padraig and stuff like that. ‘What guys are we going to bring in and challenge?’ I think we’ve brought in a couple so far that get me excited to play with on the field and I think the rest of the team is excited at the potential of what we have this year.”
Omir Fernandez
Omir Fernandez was the first of the big signings for the club this offseason. Omir signed in late December of last year. One of the things that sold Fernandez on the Rapids was their plan to bring in additional players with the desire to win. Another reason Omir was excited to join the Rapids was his familiarity with new head coach Chris Armas; who he played with during his time at New York Red Bulls.
I asked Omir if he felt he made the right decision in coming to Colorado and if they’ve been following up on their plan to bring in winning players. Fernandez stated, “You know, when I first came, I talked to a bunch of the guys. I told them I needed to win. This is not a place where I wanted to come in and just cruise for however long. I wanted to come in and win and compete.”
Omir would continue to say, “They told me that we’re going to bring in players that, similar to you, want to play with the ball, are going to be intense, and are gonna have that winner mentality. They’re not gonna bring in players that are just here for whatever. They’re here to win. I think as much as I was the first player to come in and sign, I was aware of the types of players they were going to bring and who was coming in and it got me excited back then. To see it now, to see all the new signings coming in, it makes me more excited to start up and play.”
Djordje Mihailovic and Zack Steffen
Not that any of the new signings are less important, but the acquisitions of Mihailovic and Steffen are arguably the most consequential. With the plan for Armas to attack, Mihailovic and Steffen are must-haves. Both have experience playing in the MLS, on the international stage with USMNT, and experience on the international stage while playing for some of the top leagues in Europe.
Steffen at goalkeeper was not a perceived need but comes in on paper as one of the best keepers in MLS. He plays well from the back, which will be huge in starting transition plays. Djordje’s reputation proceeds him. Padraig Smith believes that Mihailovic has the putting to threaten assist records and be an MVP candidate in the MLS.
I asked Djordje what experience and mentality he brings, coming from European leagues, that he thinks can help the team in the immediate future. Mihailovic stated, “It’s no question the difference between European football and MLS. The mentality that I’ve seen in my previous club, when you’re chasing a goal, everybody has to buy in.”
Djordje would continue, “There’s no slacking, no missed days on training…. To see the mentality that the players have to have every day to reach the end goal, a trophy at the end of the season, this is what I think I need to bring back here. I had that in Montreal when I won my first trophy and that’s the only trophy I’ve won. That’s not enough for me. When I was little, I played this game to have fun and to win as many trophies as I can…. We’re not here to just barely make the playoffs. We’re here to compete to the top of the table.”
To Be Excited Or Not to Be Excited
Rightfully so, some of the Rapids faithful are skeptical about the prospects of the team this season. Even for those who are cautiously optimistic, it’s clear that the large majority of the fanbase is excited. For fans to be even this excited so quickly after last season’s misery goes to show the work that Padraig and Chris have put in this offseason. As stated above, they’re still not done.
So, with the players being excited, will it end up being an exciting season for Rapids fans? I believe it will. How far can they go? Can they make the playoffs and make some noise? For that answer, patience, young padawan. Season predictions for the Colorado Rapids will be coming soon to Team NBS Media!
