How we're lining up tonight against Orlando 👇#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/AnkJojbxvb— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 14, 2026 Matt Wells on the lineup plans for Orlando tonight: "What I'm not going to do is put out a team that's going to start against Seattle. It's going to be further investigation for me.""I want everyone guessing."— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) February 14, 2026
That’s a wrap on preseason ✅ pic.twitter.com/sdur74D5oL— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 15, 2026
Praise RapidMan! The Colorado Rapids posted video highlights of the Orlando game on YouTube: https://t.co/hwLOE6oCJb— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) February 15, 2026
Attended the Rapids-Orlando City game. I’m willing to admit it’s still preseason and this might be a slight overreaction BUT if tonight is any indication, Colorado is going to look like prime Brighton under De Zerbi. Orlando need Ojeda healthy and some fullbacks. Bring on week 1!— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) February 15, 2026
Can 2:40 of highlights give me hope? I don’t know but the quick ball movement and direct play was impressive. I know one thing…..Aaronson, Navarro, and Yapi are vital to any success we have. All three will have to show up damn near every match. Praying to the soccer gods they stay healthy.
Miguel Navarro is back. The one time 'Pid (but never played) sent on loan to Telleres and eventually sold to them is now back on loan. Played over 100 games at LB with the Chicago Fire. Decent player, IIRC. This probably puts a fork into Vines, correct? Is he the next to be shipped out.
It certainly looks like Vines would be on the way out with this acquisition. It also says that Wells doesn't believe Jackson Travis is ready to be the first option at left back. BTW, M Navarro has a green card and looks like he's in Commerce City now. Given what Wells wants to do tactically and demands a very high fitness level it might be a a few weeks before he's getting serious playing time. OFFICIAL: The club has acquired defender Miguel Navarro on loan from Club Atlético Talleres through the 2026 season. 📰» https://t.co/qtTrgOU6Pi#Rapids96 | @uchealth pic.twitter.com/QOAALblnHy— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 17, 2026
12/23 - Trade Gutman for GAM plus LB Navarro 1/24 - Sign LB Vines and loan Navarro to Talleres 12/24 - Transfer Navarro to Talleres 8/25 - Trade for LB Santos 12/25 - Decline Santos' option for '26 1/26 - Santos signs with St. Louis 2/26 - Loan Navarro from Talleres with option to buy A Padraig Smith special
Its Like Deja Vu All Over Again https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2026/02/its-like-deja-vu-all-over-again.html
For all of that have been around for more than a few years, a lot of the press conference sounded like all the others during Pádraig's time in Commerce City. However, I felt there was one potentially important difference - the inclusion of Kevin Demoff. I figured wouldn't see him after th hiring of Wells. My take is that KSE has the Rapids' FO on a short leash. IIRC, Demoff at one point stated that the Rapid should see the on-field success all of KSE's other teams have experienced. His inclusion in the hiring process, etc., gives the impression that KSE is wanting more success on the pitch. Yes, we've heard a lot of this before, but this is the first time that someone from KSE has been (apparently) actively involved with a key decision. In addition to what Demoff stated about the course of the team, Wells gives a few more hints about his philosophy on the pitch. https://www.youtube.com/live/LY7Noiywq2U?si=TrkIheq8OKsIpm1a
Of course whenever Demoff was asked what they would do to achieve that success, on and off the field, none of it seemed to involve changing anything or more investment. So I have my doubts him being there meant anything other than trying to look more engaged.
I too heard basically the same thing. The Rapids will be heavily dependent on the development of young players who don't cost a lot to bring in. It does sound like Wells embraces the chance to work with young players and feels he can find success on the pitch. Whether or not that actually happens is whole different matter.
Was thinking something similar. It came up quite a few times that we are the bottom of the valuation. That doesn't matter to the casual fan, but to the business it matters a lot. So many references to it and how the other teams owned by KSE are doing well tells me the rfo is on a very short leash and better get results. It is never a good sign when your boss is attending your meetings to "help out".
Updating my international signing rankings https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2026/02/international-signing-rankings-2026.html
My 2026 preview and predictions. Feel free to roast me come November. Or earlier if I deserve it. https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2026/02/2026-preview-and-predictions.html
Happy to roast you about many things, but your analysis seems solid. Which means if you are wrong, then I am wrong. I suspect if we are wrong it is being overly optimistic on keeping the RMC.
I agree with much of this. Honestly I wish that we could just go full-on "Play the kids" this season. Finish probably outside of playoff contention but gain an actual real sense of which of the likes of Frederick, Diop, Jamison, Herrington, Manyoma, Fadal, KSB, Wathuta, Travis, and Philip have the juice and which don't. Let Wells get used to the league. Of course this won't happen because Padraig Smith is playing for his job.
Darren Yapi with some curious comments this week. Said he's not sure what his role is in Matt Wells' system. Said he's not sure what his best position is. pic.twitter.com/0ttFh4MKBn— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) February 20, 2026 Yikes. I don’t know what make of this. Is he not spilling the beans because he doesn’t want to give anything anyway or is Yapi really unsure?
It's easy to make the worst out of remarks like this given the Rapids' history, but I'll wait till after the Sounders match to judge.