As we go into the offseason here's the contract status for players that aren't under contract for 2025 already: J. Lewis is out of contract L. Abubakar, R. Cabral. C. Harris, M. Navarro, K. Rosenberry, s. Anderson, M. Edwards, N. Jones, O. Larraz all have team options we could exercise I think Larraz and Remi Cabral (if for no other reason than to keep Kevin happy) will be easy options to pick up. Probably Harris and Edwards as well. Anderson and Jones will be based on how they've done in training, my guess is yes on Seb and no on Jones. I think we let Miguel Navarro walk along with Abubakar and Rosenberry. Then I think we offer new contracts to Rosenberry, Abubakar, and Lewis at a level that makes it clear they're coming back as backup players off the bench. My bet is that Keegan finds a better contract somewhere else in the league. Lalas and JLew will be dependent on how much they like it here. Navarro we let walk away.
Thanks, Jason, for the above. I have to say that on first blush I am very surprised by your predicition that we let Navarro go. I will ponder this and read the reactions of others. I think it has been clear, especially in the second half of the season, that we need: a major upgrade at center back over Abubakr; a dominant no. 6 in midfield; and much more offense from both wings.
M. (Miguel) Navarro. The LB that's on loan at Talleres in Argentina. Not R. (Rafael) Navarro, our leading scorer.
Another significant off season for the Rapids. They need to add some attacking talent on the wings, depth at many positions and look at CB with an eye to improving individual talent.
We need a CB to pair with Maxso and another winger to pair with Cabral. Then we need to decide if there's a regular LB in the pile of Vines/Travis/Navarro/Cannon/Rosenberry/Anderson and if not, once again, fill the LB hole. I'd like to see us either restructure Cabral's contract to make him a TAM player and then sign a DP winger or, if restructuring isn't possible or doesn't make sense with the Galaxy's contribution, then sign a max-TAM winger instead. We also need to decide if Yapi is our backup striker (he isn't) and if not sign somebody to backup Navarro. We also need a true defensive #6 not as a starter, but as an option off the bench when the opposition calls for it. We also need to find somebody who can cover for Bassett/Mihailovic so we don't have to run their legs off again.
I think we need a starting-quality #6 as our biggest priority. Then we can play DM/Bassett/New #6 against stronger opponents and rest 1 of them at a time against weaker opponents so they can last the entire season. Otherwise, we can anticipate another season of watching opponents run through the center of the park and expose whomever we have playing CB. Agree that we need an upgrade at CB. Also, Maxso is 30, so not sure how many more years he has. Agree on the need for better wingers and a backup #9 that can put pressure on Navarro, who disappeared at the end of the season (2 goals in the last 10 matches). Think Lewis, Yapi, Harris, and Fernandez all need to go to USL teams and prove that they can actually play well enough to get another MLS chance.
I think the center midfield is pretty set (and should be) as DM-Bassett-Larrraz. That's why I don't think we need a starting quality #6, but one that can be used in spot appearances (including resting Larraz and Bassett)
The midfield needs quality depth. We don't want to see Bassett or anyone else leading MLS in miles over the course of the season.
Next season the Rapids begin with the CCC in February and of course will have the Leagues Cup again. If they they make a run in either or both they will need some serious depth to be competitive in MLS play both regular and playoffs. Leg one of first round of CCC play is scheduled for Feb. 4-6.
I'm late to the party, but its been a long week. My first recommendation for the off-season is the same as its been for years, which to fire Padraig Smith. Outside of that, my critical shopping list in the next transfer window would include the following: A starting quality CB to pair with Maxsø. Preferably one with good recovery speed. A true holding midfielder. Maybe not starting quality but top-sub quality. A stating quality winger that gives us more versatility in attack beyond running to the corner flag and hoofing crosses. Someone that can cut inside, and go at goal, and isn't terrified of shooting the ball. A backup striker that can play hold-up. Basically a Navarro-lite. It's also pretty evident towards the end of the season we still have a lot of guys on the roster that really just can't cut it at this level. We need to move on from these guys because it's painfully obvious we still look too much like the 2023 version of the team when you remove a couple of the critical players.
Harris' ceiling at this point is a perennial rotation player. That'd be pretty much the only reason to keep him around. I'm ready to move on from Edwards. He gets torched regularly 1v1 and he's 23. He's at his ceiling and he's proven to be far less useful compared to other guys on our bench. I think you hang onto Yapi, but send him out on loan to the USL. He's still only 19. He needs more meaningful playing time and he's young enough that he's still developing. In contrast, anybody that has hit their mid 20's and hasn't progressed past being a deep bench player is likely someone thats redundant and not needed.
Partial calendar for the Rapids' off season. It doesn't include the MLS primary transfer window or the report date for players - https://www.coloradorapids.com/news...ew-the-biggest-events-of-the-rapids-offseason
It also doesn't include arguably the most important date from a fan perspective, Dec 10th. Which is the CCC draw.
We get to protect 12, plus the following are automatically protected: Calvin Harris - GA Seb Anderson - HG Cole Bassett - HG Adam Beaudry - HG Michael Edwards - HG Omir Fernandez - HG Oli Larraz - HG Sam Vines - HG Darren Yapi - HG So on top of that group the obvious protections are: Zack Steffen Keegan Rosenberry Reggie Cannon Djordje Mihailovic Kevin Cabral Rafael Navarro Maybe add in: Andreas Maxso Jackson Travis Conner Ronan After that? I think Lalas might be the next name on the list. Along with, I don't know, KSB maybe? Not sure who the 12th would be.
To the surprise of probably no one here, Armas did not win the 2024 Coach of the Year award. He finished 3rd behind Nancy and (lol) Tata Martino. He actually had a really good chance of winning it if the award was given out in August. However, the way the team finished the season pretty much killed Armas' chance at COTY. We looked like the 2023 Rapids from September onward. In that time they won 2, lost 7, and had a GD of -15. Yeah, a lot of that has to do with a lack of depth and Fran/Padraig sucking massive ass at their jobs, but the performance on the pitch still can't be ignored.
I was just reminded that looking at my records last Sunday was the 20th anniversary of the first emails going out organizing what would become the Rocky Mountain Cup.
If you couldn't open the link in the Tom Bogart tweet, here's the link - https://www.givemesport.com/colorado-rapids-offseason-guide-state-of-the-roster-transfer-priorities/