2018 Colorado Rapids season

The 2018 Colorado Rapids season will be the Colorado Rapids' 23rd season of existence, their 23rd season in Major League Soccer and their 23rd season in the top-tier of American soccer.

Colorado Rapids
2018 season
OwnerStan Kroenke
Head CoachAnthony Hudson
Major League SoccerConference: 11th
Overall: 21st
MLS Cup PlayoffsDid not qualify
U.S. Open CupFourth Round
CONCACAF Champions LeagueRound of 16
Rocky Mountain CupLost
Top goalscorerLeague: Dominique Badji (7)
All: Dominique Badji (7)
Highest home attendance17,837
Lowest home attendance10,790
Average home league attendance15,333

Due to a reconfiguration in the CONCACAF Champions League format, the Rapids will begin play in the Champions League this year for their successes during the 2016 season. Colorado opens their slate of competitive fixtures on February 20 in the Champions League Round of 16 with a two-legged series against Canadian champions, Toronto FC in the round of 16. On March 3, the club will have their MLS opener against Chicago Fire. In either May or June, the Rapids will begin play in the U.S. Open Cup.

Background
Main article: 2017 Colorado Rapids season

The 2017 season saw a sharp downturn in the Rapids fortunes. Colorado finished the 2017 season second-bottom of the Western Conference table, with the third-worst overall record in Major League Soccer. Colorado finished 10th in the Western Conference and 20th in the overall table. The team scored a league-low 31 goals in 34 matches and conceded 51 goals. Dominique Badji lead the team with 7 goals across all competitions.

Outside of MLS play, the Rapids played in the 2017 edition of the U.S. Open Cup, where they lost in the fifth round to FC Dallas. The Rapids failed to qualify for the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. At the end of the campaign, four-year head coach, Pablo Mastroeni was relieved of his duties.

Review

Club

Roster
As of October 28, 2018.[1]
    No. Name Nat Position Since Date of birth (Age) Signed from Games Goals
    Goalkeepers
    1 Tim Howard GK 2016 (1979-03-06) March 6, 1979 Everton 75 0
    18 Zac MacMath GK 2016 (1991-08-07) August 7, 1991 Philadelphia Union 31 0
    50 Andrew Dykstra GK 2018 (1986-02-01) February 1, 1986 Sporting Kansas City 0 0
    Defenders
    2 Edgar Castillo LB 2018 (1986-10-08) October 8, 1986 Monterrey (loan) 28 3
    4 Danny Wilson CB 2018 (1991-12-27) December 27, 1991 Rangers F.C. 23 0
    5 Tommy Smith CB 2018 (1990-03-31) March 31, 1990 Ipswich Town 33 4
    13 Sam Vines CB 2018 (1999-05-31) May 31, 1999 Charlotte Independence 1 0
    23 Kip Colvey CB 2018 (1994-03-15) March 15, 1994 San Jose Earthquakes 3 0
    24 Kortne Ford CB 2017 (1996-01-26) January 26, 1996 Denver Pioneers 35 1
    27 Deklan Wynne CB 2018 (1995-03-20) March 20, 1995 Whitecaps FC 2 25 0
    44 Axel Sjöberg CB 2015 (1991-03-08) March 8, 1991 Marquette Golden Eagles 82 3
    Midfielders
    8 Johan Blomberg MF 2018 (1987-06-14) June 14, 1987 AIK 25 0
    10 Kellyn Acosta MF 2018 (1995-07-24) July 24, 1995 FC Dallas 13 2
    15 Sam Hamilton MF 2017 (1995-07-27) July 27, 1995 Denver Pioneers 3 0
    17 Dillon Serna MF 2013 (1994-03-25) March 25, 1994 Akron Zips 91 9
    19 Jack Price MF 2018 (1992-12-19) December 19, 1992 Wolverhampton Wanderers 31 1
    20 Ricardo Perez MF 2017 (1995-05-30) May 30, 1995 Creighton Bluejays 0 0
    21 Bismark Adjei-Boateng MF 2017 (1994-05-10) May 10, 1994 Strømsgodset 38 1
    26 Cole Bassett MF 2018 (2001-07-28) July 28, 2001 Colorado Rapids U–23 6 1
    28 Sam Nicholson MF 2018 (1995-01-20) January 20, 1995 Minnesota United 19 2
    90 Enzo Martinez MF 2018 (1990-09-29) September 29, 1990 Charlotte Independence 23 0
    94 Marlon Hairston MF 2014 (1994-03-23) March 23, 1994 Louisville Cardinals 95 7
    Forwards
    7 Giles Barnes FW 2018 (1988-08-05) August 5, 1988 León 12 0
    9 Yannick Boli FW 2018 (1988-01-13) January 13, 1988 Dalian Yifang 17 2
    11 Shkëlzen Gashi FW 2016 (1988-07-15) July 15, 1988 Basel 64 13
    12 Niki Jackson FW 2018 (1995-08-25) August 25, 1995 Grand Canyon Antelopes 15 3
    29 Caleb Calvert FW 2014 (1996-10-22) October 22, 1996 Chivas USA 21 1
    32 Jack McBean FW 2018 (1994-12-15) December 15, 1994 LA Galaxy 22 2

    Team management
    Position Staff
    General Manager Pádraig Smith
    Asst. General Manager Fran Taylor
    Personnel Director Ena Patel
    Scouting Director Mitch Murray
    Scouting Coordinator Chris Zitterbart
    Head Coach Anthony Hudson
    Asst. Coach Conor Casey
    Goalkeeper Coach Chris Sharpe
    Head of Sports Science Chad Kolarcik
    Head Athletic Trainer Keith Garnett
    Asst. Athletic Trainer Sean O'Neill
    Strength and Conditioning Coach Miguel Motolongo
    Physical Therapist Andy Free
    Team Chiropractor Nicholas Studholme
    Chief Medical Officer Dr. Wayne Gersoff
    Team Physician Dr. Mary-Catherine Husney

    Last updated: February 9, 2018
    Source: Colorado Rapids

    Transfers

    In
    No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee Date Source
    7FW Giles Barnes Club LeónUndisclosedJuly 13, 2018[2]

    Draft picks

    Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster.

    2018 Colorado Rapids SuperDraft Picks
    RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeStatus
    225 Alan Winn FW North Carolina Declined contract, signed with Nashville SC
    27 Frantzdy Pierrot MF Coastal Carolina Invited to training camp
    350 Thomas Olsen GK San Diego Signed to roster
    472 Brian Iloski MF UCLA Invited to training camp, signed with Legia Warsaw
    73 Niki Jackson FW Grand Canyon Signed to roster

    Out
    No. Pos. Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
    12GK John Berner Phoenix Rising FCOption declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]
    23DF Bobby BurlingFreeNovember 27, 2017[3]
    26DF Dennis Castillo Pérez ZeledónOption declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]
    45MF Joshua Gatt Detroit CityOption declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]
    27MF Luis Gil QuerétaroLoan expired, purchase declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]
    16FW Alan Gordon Chicago FireOption declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]
    90MF Mohammed Saeid LyngbyOption declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]
    5DF Mekeil Williams Richmond KickersOption declinedNovember 27, 2017[3]

    Loan in
    No. Pos. Player Loaned from Start End Source
    2DF Edgar Castillo MonterreyJanuary 1, 2018December 31, 2018[4]
    10F Joe Mason Wolverhampton WanderersFebruary 20, 2018July 12, 2018[5]

    Loan out
    Pos. Player Loaned to Start End Source
    DF Mike da Fonte Phoenix Rising FCFebruary 10, 2018[6]
    GK Andrew Dykstra Charlotte IndependenceMarch 8, 2018[7]
    DF Sam Vines Charlotte IndependenceMarch 8, 2018[7]
    MF Ricardo Perez Charlotte IndependenceMarch 8, 2018[7]
    FW Caleb Calvert Charlotte IndependenceMarch 8, 2018[7]
    DF Kip Colvey Colorado Springs SwitchbacksJuly 13, 2018[8]

    Competitions

    Friendlies
    January 31 PreseasonColorado Rapids1–2Columbus CrewCasa Grande, Arizona
    11:00 a.m. MST Ford  26' Report Zardes  2'
    Argudo  58'    		 Stadium: Grande Sports Academy Soccer Complex
    February 3 PreseasonColorado Rapids0–2Sporting Kansas CityScottsdale, Arizona
    11:00 a.m. MST Report Shelton  12'
    Gerso  22'    		 Stadium: Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex
    February 9 PreseasonSporting Arizona0–9Colorado RapidsTucson, Arizona
    11:00 a.m. MST Report Castillo  2'
    McBean  25'
    Calvert  63'
    Aigner  67'
    Jackson  78', 120'
    Blomberg  102'
    Perez  106'    		 Stadium: Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
    Note: 120 minute match of two 60-minute periods
    February 14 PreseasonPhoenix Rising0–2Colorado RapidsScottsdale, Arizona
    6:00 p.m. MST Report Badji  75'
    Smith  80'    		 Stadium: Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex
    July 24 MidseasonColorado Rapids 2–2
    (5–4 p)    		 Boca JuniorsCommerce City, Colorado
    7:00 p.m. MST Boli  30'
    Martínez  59'    		 Report Barrios  11'
    Villa  14'    		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Penalties
    McBean
    Serna
    Martínez
    Wynne
    MacMath     		Cardona
    Goltz
    Reynoso
    Zárate
    Tevez
    September 1 MidseasonTulsa Roughnecks FC2-3Colorado RapidsMemphis, Tennessee
    6:00 p.m. MST
    		Report
    		Stadium: AutoZone Park
    Attendance: 8,957

    Major League Soccer
    Main article: 2018 Major League Soccer season
    March 10, 2018 1New England Revolution2–1Colorado RapidsFoxborough, Massachusetts
    11:30 MST
    		Report
    		Stadium: Gillette Stadium
    Attendance: 13,305
    Referee: Armando Vilarreal
    March 24, 2018 2Colorado Rapids2–2Sporting Kansas CityCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    • Gutierrez  57'
    • Rubio  90+1'
    		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 17,424
    Referee: Sorin Stoica
    March 31, 2018 3Colorado Rapids3–0Philadelphia UnionCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 10,790
    Referee: Robert Sibiga
    April 7, 2018 4FC Dallas1–1Colorado RapidsFrisco, Texas
    18:00 MDT
    • Colmán  89'
    		 Report
    		Stadium: Toyota Stadium
    Attendance: 13,147
    Referee: Rubiel Vasquez
    April 14, 2018 5Colorado Rapids2–0Toronto FCCommerce City, Colorado
    13:00 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 11,232
    Referee: Baldomero Toledo
    April 21, 2018 6Real Salt Lake3–0Colorado RapidsSandy, Utah
    19:00 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
    Attendance: 17,461
    Referee: Joseph Dickerson
    April 29, 2018 7Colorado Rapids1–2Orlando City SCCommerce City, Colorado
    14:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 15,702
    Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
    May 5, 2018 8Sporting Kansas City1–0Colorado RapidsKansas City, Kansas
    18:30 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
    Attendance: 20,553
    Referee: Armando Villarreal
    May 12, 2018 9Colorado Rapids1–2New York Red BullsCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 15,691
    Referee: Ismail Elfath
    May 19, 2018 10NYCFC4–0Colorado RapidsBronx, New York
    11:00 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Yankee Stadium
    Attendance: 21,494
    Referee: David Gantar
    May 26, 2018 11Colorado Rapids2–3Portland TimbersCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 17,424
    Referee: Sorin Stoica
    June 1, 2018 12Colorado Rapids1–2Vancouver Whitecaps FCCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 16,746
    June 9, 2018 13Houston Dynamo2–0Colorado RapidsHouston, Texas
    19:00 MDT
    		Report Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
    Attendance: 16,058
    Referee: Drew Fischer
    June 13, 2018 14Colorado Rapids2–2Chicago FireCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 16,068
    Referee: José Carlos Rivero
    June 23, 2018 15Colorado Rapids3–2Minnesota United FCCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    July 1, 2018 16Vancouver Whitecaps FC0–1Colorado RapidsVancouver, British Columbia
    17:00 MDT Report
    		Stadium: BC Place
    July 4, 2018 17Colorado Rapids1–2Seattle Sounders FCCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 16,374
    Referee: Fotis Bazakos
    July 7, 2018 18Montreal Impact2–1Colorado RapidsMontreal, Quebec
    17:30 MDT
    • Taider  55', 56'
    		 Report
    		Stadium: Stade Saputo
    July 14, 2018 19Colorado Rapids0–0Houston DynamoCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT Report Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 14,327
    Referee: Ted Unkel
    July 21, 2018 20Real Salt Lake2–2Colorado RapidsSandy, Utah
    20:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
    Attendance: 19,207
    July 28, 2018 21D.C. United2–1Colorado RapidsWashington, D.C.
    17:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Audi Field
    Attendance: 18,931
    August 4, 2018 22Colorado Rapids2–1LA GalaxyCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 17,837
    Referee: Sorin Stoica
    August 11, 2018 23Colorado Rapids2–1San Jose EarthquakesCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 15,383
    Referee: Alan Kelly
    August 15, 2018 26LA Galaxy2–2Colorado RapidsCarson, California
    15:30 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: StubHub Center
    Attendance: 16,231
    August 19, 2018 24Los Angeles FC2–0Colorado RapidsLos Angeles, California
    20:30 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Banc of California Stadium
    Attendance: 22,000
    August 25, 2018 25 (RMC)Colorado Rapids0–6Real Salt LakeCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 16,669
    September 8, 2018 27Portland Timbers2–0Colorado RapidsPortland, Oregon
    20:30 MDT
    		Report Stadium: Providence Park
    Attendance: 21,144
    September 15, 2018 28Colorado Rapids0–3Atlanta United FCCommerce City, Colorado
    13:30 MDT Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 14,788
    September 22, 2018 29Columbus Crew SC2–1Colorado RapidsColumbus, Ohio
    17:30 MDT
    		Report
    • Gashi  26'
    		 Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
    Attendance: 19,121
    September 29, 2018 30Seattle Sounders FC4–0Colorado RapidsSeattle, Washington
    14:00 MDT
    		Report Stadium: CenturyLink Stadium
    Attendance: 40,042
    Referee: Nima Saghafi
    October 6, 2018 31Colorado Rapids0–3Los Angeles FCCommerce City, Colorado
    19:00 MDT Report Zimmerman  15' Diomande  42', 48' Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 15,369
    Referee: Armando Villarreal
    October 13, 2018 32Minnesota United FC0–2Colorado RapidsMinneapolis, Minnesota
    12:00 MDT Report
    		Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
    Attendance: 19,733
    Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr
    October 21, 2018 33San Jose Earthquakes0–0Colorado RapidsSan Jose, California
    15:00 MDT Report Stadium: Avaya Stadium
    Attendance: 17,474
    Referee: Tim Ford
    October 28, 2018 34Colorado Rapids2–1FC DallasCommerce City, Colorado
    14:30 MDT
    		Report
    		Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park

    U.S. Open Cup
    Main article: 2018 U.S. Open Cup
    June 6, 2018 FourthNashville SC 2–0 Colorado RapidsNashville, Tennessee
    17:30 Azira  39' (o.g.)
    Mensah  78'    		 Report Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium
    Referee: Kevin Broadley

    CONCACAF Champions League
    Main article: 2018 CONCACAF Champions League

    Round of 16
    February 20 First legColorado Rapids 0–2 Toronto FCCommerce City, United States
    20:00 MST Price  28'
    Castillo  69'    		 Report
    Box Score    		 Osorio  55'
    Giovinco  73'
    Bradley  86'    		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
    Attendance: 2,673
    Referee: Kimbell Ward (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
    February 27 Second legToronto FC 0–0
    (2–0 agg.)    		 Colorado RapidsToronto, Canada
    18:00 MST Report Stadium: BMO Field
    Attendance: 23,383
    Referee: Luis Santander (Mexico)

    Statistics

    Top scorers
    Place Position Number Name MLS U.S. Open Cup Total
    1 FW 14 Dominique Badji 7 0 7
    2 DF 5 Tommy Smith 4 0 4
    3 DF 2 Edgar Castillo 3 0 3
    FW 12 Niki Jackson 3 0 3
    FW 10 Joe Mason 3 0 3
    6 MF 11 Shkëlzen Gashi 2 0 2
    MF 10 Kellyn Acosta 2 0 2
    MF 28 Sam Nicholson 2 0 2
    FW 32 Jack McBean 2 0 2
    FW 9 Yannick Boli 2 0 2
    11 MF 19 Jack Price 1 0 1
    MF 21 Nana Boateng 1 0 1
    MF 17 Dillon Serna 1 0 1
    MF 26 Cole Bassett 1 0 1
    Total 34 0 34

    As of 28 October 2018.

    Awards and honors

    References
    1. "First team roster". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
    2. "Colorado Rapids sign forward Giles Barnes from Club León". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
    3. "Colorado Rapids announce roster moves ahead of 2018 campaign". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. November 27, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
    4. "Colorado Rapids acquire USMNT international Edgar Castillo on loan". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. January 9, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
    5. "Colorado Rapids acquire striker Joe Mason on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers FC". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. February 20, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
    6. "Colorado Rapids loan defender Mike da Fonte to Phoenix Rising FC". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
    7. "Colorado Rapids loan Vines, Calvert, Perez and Dykstra to Charlotte Independence". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. March 8, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
    8. "Colorado Rapids loan defender Kip Colvey to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
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