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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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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 07: Benny Feilhaber (33) of Los Angeles FC and now of the Colorado Rapids during a MLS match between Los Angeles FC and Atlanta United FC on April 7, 2018 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 07: Benny Feilhaber (33) of Los Angeles FC and now of the Colorado Rapids during a MLS match between Los Angeles FC and Atlanta United FC on April 7, 2018 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Midfield

A couple of midfielders with US Men’s National Team experience will now control the tempo for the Colorado Rapids. Kellyn Acosta can learn much from new man Benny Feilhaber. Feilhaber was once a young midfielder filled with potential but a skill set not quite to the national team manager’s liking. Though he was raised in Brazil and saw passes no one else in the team knew to expect, Feilhaber was squeezed out to the margins all too often.

Acosta was just sent home from the Camp Cupcake portion of Gold Cup preparations. Feilhaber recently told the Total Soccer Show he was not expecting a call up, but would not turn down the opportunity. Acosta and Feilhaber both find themselves in Colorado after been passed on by other MLS teams.

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If they can find a rhythm, the Rapids have a top-half midfield. Acosta (FC Dallas) and Feilhaber (LAFC and Sporting KC) know winning soccer. With Tim Howard also in the room, Hudson will be forced to take player input on how to get results.

In Hudson’s first year, he trotted out formations no other teams used. The players will take some convincing. If this Rapids team can play freely and with conviction, they have the potential to be very entertaining. Acosta and Feilhaber will provide stability and shielding to allow the wingers and forwards opportunities.

Jack Price will give Hudson some line-up options. Price logged 2750 workmanlike minutes, with a a goal and four assists to show for his efforts. Price was arguably the most important Rapids outfield player in 2018, credited with 42 chances created.

There are as many arguments for Price having a breakout season as there are for his ceiling having been met already. He completed just over 7500 passes on the year, at an 85% clip. Not bad for holding possession, but it is not like the Rapids had a demanding forward requiring dangerous passes all game.

If a midfielder isn’t playing really dangerous passes, they better play safe passes. However, too safe and the new forwards will get frustrated. Price could be the base of a midfield diamond or be pushed to the bench. This season is about showing that he can operate with Acosta, Feilhaber, and Nicolas Mezquida. If he can, the Rapids can dominate some MLS games; if the midfield is too congested, Price will be the first sacrificed.

Cole Bassett also trained with SC Freiburg this winter. The Colorado native homegrown player now holds many ‘club youngest’ records. Bassett opened his goalscoring account last season, of course the youngest ever, and will fight for substitute appearances with Johan Blomberg and Nana Boateng.

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