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Colorado Rapids: 2019 season outlook

By Christopher Dodson

COMMERCE CITY, CO - FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids new head coach Anthony Hudson, middle, walks off the field after his team lost to Toronto FC during the CONCACAF Champions League Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This was the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight's game was in the single digits. Toronto FC beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO - FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids new head coach Anthony Hudson, middle, walks off the field after his team lost to Toronto FC during the CONCACAF Champions League Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This was the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight's game was in the single digits. Toronto FC beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – October 31: Keegan Rosenberry #12 of Philadelphia Union watched by Ronald Matarrita #22 of New York City during the New York City FC Vs Philadelphia Union MLS Eastern Conference Knockout match at Yankee Stadium on October 31st, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – October 31: Keegan Rosenberry #12 of Philadelphia Union watched by Ronald Matarrita #22 of New York City during the New York City FC Vs Philadelphia Union MLS Eastern Conference Knockout match at Yankee Stadium on October 31st, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Defense

Tim Howard was forced into 119 saves and suffered the indignity of conceding 59 goals in large part because of the defense in front of him. The porous Colorado Rapids unit was jumbled throughout the season and it showed on game days.

In defense, Edgar Castillo served a dual role as creative hub and sturdy defender. However, he is no longer with the club. The Rapids’ philosophy this season will change drastically in all phases, especially the backline.

Dillon Serna has been manning the left-back role with success this preseason. Serna notched a goal against the Las Vegas Lights and, by all accounts, is embracing the role. If he can make the same transition as perhaps Chris Albright or Graham Zusi, the Rapids will have both outside back positions settled.

Trading for Keegan Rosenberry filled the Rapids’ need for a capable right-back. Deklan Wynne was found out of place far too often last season. His experience with Hudson’s system was supposed to be a positive, but MLS proved a bit more nuanced than New Zealand. As depth and a late-game sub with pace, however, Wynne could excel.

The Rapids have promising homegrown players Sam Vines and Kortne Forde adding to their defensive depth. Vines logged some frequent flyer training miles with SC Freiburg in Germany this offseason in hopes of pushing for a starting spot. Vines did well in limited minutes last year and showed he belonged with the first team in 2019.

If Forde or Vines can push the starters and serve as utility defenders learning in a pressure cooker, both could be full-time starters in 2020. Hudson’s record of youth development and defensive coaching relies on growth from both. Expect at least one to be sent to Colorado Springs to stay sharp.

Axel Sjorberg is one feeling the heat for minutes. Once a top-end MLS defender, his past few seasons have been spent inconsistent and injured. Danny Wilson was brought in to be the center-back anchor. Instead, he and fellow Hudson signee Tommy Smith have been slow to adapt to the league’s demands. Sjorberg at full fitness could win the starting gig again.

As mentioned in the MLS Multiplex Power Rankings, getting the fans and local media on board will be difficult. Most teams who concede an extraordinary amount of goals one season, should expect that things can only get better. Things only got worse last season. In the second year of Hudson’s stead, the Rapids have the talent to improve substantially, not just incrementally.

The Denver Post is already discouraging fans from expecting many clean sheets. That may be so, but they made moves for talent further up the pitch that should alleviate some of those defensive lapses from pressure. This team can keep the goals conceded number under 50. The Rapids’ defensive ethos may not lead the team to the playoffs, but the backline will not keep Colorado from contending either.

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