NFL
By Keith Richards
Since we last spoke, the Colorado Rapids have made a significant change. Chris Armas and the front office mutually parted ways. As I mentioned in my previous article, one of the three issues that went wrong with the Rapids’ season was their coaching. That coach is gone now. Another issue was the roster. Today, we’re here to discuss and attempt to predict the roster moves that will occur at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
However, let’s first set the stage for the prediction. First, we need to be aware of the critical dates related to roster decisions. Look at those below:
- November 26th – Club deadline to exercise options and submit Bona Fide offers (1 p.m. EST)
- December 10th – Free Agency opens (1 p.m. EST)
- Clubs can interact with players who are Free Agents, but not their own
- December 18th – MLS SuperDraft
- The Rapids have several first-round picks
- Late January – mid-April 2026 – Primary Transfer Window
Second, we need to be aware of the critical roster decisions the Rapids must make. Third, there are the players on the roster who will be free agents when the period begins. Look at those below:
- Andreas Maxsø – Contract through 2025; 2026 Club Option
- Noah Cobb – Loan through 2025
- Michael Edwards – Contract through 2025; 2026 Club Option
- Calvin Harris – Contract through 2025
- Oliver Larraz – Contract through 2025
- Rafael Santos – Contract through 2025; 2026 Club Option
- Daouda Amadou – Contract through 2025; 2026 and 2027 Club Options
- Sam Bassett – Contract through 2025; three additional years of Club Options
- Darren Yapi – Contract through 2025; 2026 Club Option
- Jackson Travis – Contract through 2025; 2026 Club Option
- Nicholas Hansen – Contract through 2025; two additional years of Club Options
- Nate Jones – Contract through 2025; two additional years of Club Options
Therefore, Padraig Smith and the front office have many roster decisions to make. Some we already know, a couple we can guess, and there are a few where tough decisions need to be made. So, I’m going to break my roster decision predictions down into three categories: Players to keep on the roster, players to move on from, and crystal ball roster decisions.
Crystal ball roster decisions are the roster moves I think will happen, as well as the roster moves that I think should happen. Consequently, this is pure speculation on my part. As a result, please do not take my words as gospel; though I think that would be amazing. Additionally, this is based on no insight from conversations with anyone on the team. So, let’s predict away!
Players to keep on the roster
Before we discuss the players I believe the Rapids should keep on the roster, it’s essential to note that we already have some confirmed insight into roster decisions that have been made. On Thursday, Padraig Smith informed us during his press conference that Andreas Maxsø will be leaving the club. In addition, Smith stated that Oliver Larraz will explore free agency.
Before hearing that news, Andreas Maxsø was a player I thought the Rapids should keep on the roster. Maxsø was the on-pitch captain for the squad for much of the season. He has his faults, but Andreas has been a steady presence on the Colorado roster and backline. Personally, I will be sad to see him go, and I wish him the best of luck!
Conversely, Oliver Larraz is a player I believe the Rapids should move on from. I think Oliver Larraz is a fantastic player, but it’s not a matter of his quality. When it comes down to it, Colorado has too many midfielders who have similar roles. In their natural positions, Cole Bassett, Oliver Larraz, Sam Bassett, Josh Atencio, Connor Ronan, Wayne Frederick, and Ali Fadal all occupy the same area of the pitch.
Without question, Larraz is more talented than most of the players listed. However, most of those players are harder to move. If you’re running a starting midfield of a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, Atencio, Bassett, and Aaronson are the top of the pecking order. Ronan delivers the ball better than Larraz, and Frederick is the likely Atencio backup. You want Larraz on the pitch, but at what cost? Yes, I think it’s best for him if he can get better opportunities elsewhere. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but some medicine doesn’t always taste good.
Enough of that, though. Let’s move on to the players I think the Rapids should keep on the roster. There are two separate groups there as well. First, we have the “Sure, why not?” group. That group is Nate Jones, Jackson Travis, and Sam Bassett. That’s not to say I’m indifferent to these players. I think these players are valuable depth pieces for the roster. However, I don’t think they make or break the roster. If the Rapids decide to move on, I will understand. Yet, I do think they should stick around.
Second, we have the “The Rapids MUST keep these players” group. That group is Darren Yapi, Nicholas Hansen, Noah Cobb, and Rafael Santos. For me, these players are no-brainers. All four players played significant roles on the team this season, and I believe they will have vital roles in the team’s potential future success. At the top of that list is Darren Yapi.
The 2025 season was the breakout season for Darren Yapi. In just 1,433 minutes played, Yapi had a career year with eight goals and two assists. Arguably, Darren could have had a better year if Chris Armas had played him more. It’s essential to remember that Darren Yapi is only 20 years old. He hasn’t reached his prime, and he’s making great strides. The ceiling of Mr. Yapi is high. Additionally, IF Rafael Navarro is sold in January, Colorado will need Darren Yapi.
Next on the must-keep list is Rafael Santos. The Rapids acquired Santos from Orlando City SC in mid-August. Santos ends up playing seven games for the Rapids, starting in five of those. In just 381 minutes, Santos had four goal contributions (one goal and three assists). His main competition at left back is Sam Vines. In 22 matches played (13 started) in 2025, Vines only had two assists. Santos just brought energy to the club that they can’t let go of.
Up next on the must-keep list is Nicholas Hansen. Hansen stepped up in a major way after Zack Steffen suffered a knee injury this season. In his ten starts, Nico had three clean sheets with a 73.1 save percentage. It’s a smaller window, but it’s three percent better than Steffen. Additionally, if he maintained this level over the whole season, it would be the seventh-best among all MLS keepers. Hansen has the potential to replace Steffen in a couple of seasons. He must stay.
Finally, on the must-keep list, we have Noah Cobb. Cobb came to the Rapids in July on loan from Atlanta United. While he only made four starts, he showed a lot of promise. Whether Colorado decides to go with a back three or stick with a back four, Noah will be a valuable piece. For sure, he will need to compete with Lucas Herrington, Nate Jones, and Ian Murphy to play alongside Rob Holding, but I like his chances just as much as anyone. Cobb could be special. He must stick around.
As we now know, the Colorado Rapids will have a new coach for the upcoming season. So, much of what their roster looks like will depend on the coach they hire and the style that coach plays. Still, I believe the players listed above would be valuable to whatever coach Padraig Smith and Kevin Demoff choose. Now, let’s move to players the Rapids should move on from.
Players on the roster to move on from
This is a much shorter list. Therefore, this will be a much shorter conversation. There are only three players that the Rapids should move on from. Quick sidenote: This only pertains to the players for whom a decision needs to be made by November 26th. That’s a spoiler for the crystal ball category. Just trying to keep you tuned in if you’re not. Hashtag, writing. Nonetheless, let’s discuss the three most appropriate options now.
First, we have Daouda Amadou. As a person, Daouda is a great person. However, Padraig Smith, in his role as team president, is a businessman, and this is a business, man. In the business of winning matches and championships, as well as fiscal responsibility, Daouda Amadou’s first-team roster spot does not fit. He’s been a great captain for the Rapids 2 side, but his first-team roster slot cannot continue.
Second, we have Michael Edwards. Big Mike has been a fan favorite for several years. However, his situation matches that of Daouda Amadou. He’s occupying a first-team roster slot, but still has not broken into the first team. Rob Holding will for sure be one of at least two starting center backs in 2026. The competition for Edwards is Noah Cobb, Lucas Herrington, Ian Murphy, and Nate Jones. I don’t see Edwards beating out either of them. So, unfortunately, it’s time for the Rapids to move on.
Last, we have Calvin Harris. Moving on from Calvin Harris is a difficult decision. Harris has arguably been the best winger for the Rapids in the previous two seasons. In 2025, Harris beat his previous career high in goals with five. However, the situation for Calvin Harris is the same as the situation for Oli Larraz. The winger position is loaded, and Calvin’s roster slot is a bit of gluttony.
With the addition of Alexis Manyoma and the possibility of Bryce Jamison coming next season, Calvin Harris becomes the odd man out. The salary he can justify is not one I think the Rapids should pay. If the Rapids continue to play Moneyball, the money from Calvin Harris could be spent to shore up other positions. It’s unfortunate because Calvin Harris is a great talent. He should be able to land on his feet elsewhere in the MLS, possibly even in the EFL Championship league.
Crystal ball roster decisions
To semi-quote American football commentator Cris Collinsworth, here are some moves that I could see happening for the Rapids during the 2025-26 offseason. They’re far from a guarantee. However, if Demoff and Smith are indeed prepared to make tough decisions, these are two that they should make. What’s the likelihood they make them? I don’t know, but they should at least be considered.
One roster move the Rapids could make is to move Sam Vines. For sure, it’s a tough one to pull off because of his salary. Consequently, the reason they should move him is his salary. The guaranteed compensation for Sam Vines in 2025 is $912,500. Since he returned to Colorado, Vines has four total goal contributions. In 49 matches played (37 starts), Sam Vines has the same total goal contributions as Rafa Santos.
There’s a significant issue with that. Can you guess? Yes, it’s his salary. The guaranteed compensation for Rafael Santos is only $401,188. Vines makes over half of what Santos does. Yet, Rafa Santos has equaled the goal contributions of Sam Vines in just 14% of the matches played. I know the Rapids love their homegrowns, but Santos has to be the starter moving forward. If that is the case, and you decide to keep Jackson Travis, you will have to move on from Sam Vines.
The following roster move is one I don’t think the team should make, but I could understand if they made it. After Djordje Mihalovic was transferred to Toronto, several teams reportedly made offers for Rafael Navarro. Some of the rumors were just smoke. However, Padraig Smith has verified that the team did receive valid offers. The rumored amount is upwards of $8 million.
I’m not 100% sure that Darren Yapi is ready to be the starting center forward for Colorado. However, a coaching change could get him to produce more. If another Brazilian club or Liga MX club comes with another offer for Navarro for $8 million or more, it’s going to be hard to turn down again. The Rapids could easily get another big star with that. In addition, they could split that between two players and add some key depth. So, again, it’s not a move I would make, but one I could see happening.
Colorado has just over 20 days before the option decisions need to be made. Padraig Smith states that they will wait as long as possible before those moves are announced. If Smith and Demoff are serious about improving the team, we can expect some significant changes and tough decisions. When they happen, Team NBS will be here to break them down!
