Colorado Rapids 2026 Season Preview

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·9 de febrero de 2026

Colorado Rapids 2026 Season Preview

This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘ Colorado Rapids preview for the 2026 MLS Season with voice of the Rapids, Connor Cape. You can find that video on Spotify below.

2025 Recap

The Colorado Rapids finished 11th in the West in 2025 and missed the playoffs. They were below average on offense (10 in Western Conference goals) and defense (11th in Western Conference goals allowed). An easily identified area of weakness was playing on the road, where the Rapids finished with only 3 wins on the season.

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The Rapids also changed #10s during the season, selling Djordje Mihailovic to Toronto and bringing Paxten Aaronson back to MLS after three years across Germany and the Netherlands. Mihailovic contributed 9 goals and 6 assists while playing just over 2,000 minutes.

Rafael Navarro scored 12 goals and 3 assists, while Darrin Yapi had an unexpectedly high 8 goals and 2 assists.

Overall, the Rapids mutually parted ways with Chris Armas and hired an interesting young former Tottenham Hotspur assistant named Matt Wells.

Transactions

The Colorado Rapids declined the option on 6 players, including Andres Maxso and Sam Bassett. Calvin Harris’s contract expired, as did Oliver Larraz’s. Cole Bassett was traded to Portland, while Adam Beaudry is headed to Loudon United.

Incoming transfers include Hamzat Ojediran from Lens and Dante Sealy from Montreal. Both filll holes and plug in as projected starters. The Rapids will also bring in SuperDraft and MLS Next Pro players.

Depth Chart

Projecting a depth chart is hard with a new coach, but bringing in players like Dante Sealy imply using wings on offense, and Paxten Aaronson is a known commodity at the #10. This makes me think a 4-3-3 attacking formation is the most likely to start 2025.

There is no true left winger, so Ted Ku-DiPeitro will start opposite of Dante Sealy. Designated Player Rafael Navarro will be the everyday starting striker, and Darren Yappi will be first off the bench in most attacking positions. It will be interesting to see if he demands playing time, and if Matt Wells will work to get Yapi and Navarro on the field together.

In midfield we have Josh Atencio and Connor Ronan opposite Hamzat Ojediran. Ojediran is new, and could compete with youngster Wayne Frederick. Frederick, at 20 years old, played just 222 minutes last season.

On defense Colorado will use Rob Holding as their lead center back, with Noah Cobb, a 19 year old from Atlanta, as the best pair. Ian Murphy provides the Rapids depth. Fullbacks Sam Vines and Reggie Cannon add speed, but might have more appetite for attacking rather than defending.

Questions

Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job? Connor Ronan. He might already be starting over Hamzat, and it will be interesting how the midfield works out. To that end, Wayne Frederick could be in a similar situation to Ronan.
What are some realistic expectations for 2026? Connor Cape thinks “why not the Rapids?” while I’ll be more pragmatic and say, with the right summer additions, a playoff spot (maybe a plan-in game) are more likely.
What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season? What is the identity for new coach Matt Wells? What is the strategy? What are the tactics?
What styles does this team match up well against? They could match up well against teams that take them for granted. This team has talent and some youth, and it wouldn’t be advised to meet them without the energy and focus they deserve.
What styles does this team match up poorly against? They will match up poorly against teams who have long established systems, or against teams that pose a large talent gap.
What player improves the most in 2026? Zack Steffen should get a chance to compete for a World Cup spot. He will be ready to compete and show out in 2026.
Which player regresses in 2026? Rafael Navarro could take a step back on the stat sheet, especially if Darren Yapi proves himself to be worthy of the minutes.

Hear more, and follow along as I preview all 30 MLS teams before kickoff of the 2026 season!

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