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Colorado Rapids: 5 key players to watch in 2020

By Hilario Muniz

Younes Namli of FC Krasnodar during UEFA Europa League between Getafe CF and FC Krasnodar at Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by A. Ware/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Younes Namli of FC Krasnodar during UEFA Europa League between Getafe CF and FC Krasnodar at Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by A. Ware/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – FEBRUARY 01: Johnathan Lewis #11 of the United States plays the ball during a match against Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – FEBRUARY 01: Johnathan Lewis #11 of the United States plays the ball during a match against Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

4. Jonathan Lewis

Jonathan Lewis, like a couple of guys on the Colorado Rapids’ roster, was brought in last season to help make an impact for a struggling team. Lewis was brought in via a trade with New York City FC back in May, a move deemed more of a rescue by the Rapids.

The 22-year-old forward was drafted third overall by New York City FC back in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft out of the Univ. of Akron, but before that, he played for two matches in England’s middle-tier leagues before returning to the States and signing with the Zips. He never quite broke into the starting XI in New York, making 31 appearances with six starts during his time there, but he is a talented young player who simply needed an opportunity. Enter the Rapids.

Lewis made 16 appearances for the Rapids in 2019, 10 of which were starts. He logged more minutes (899) in those 16 games than in his entire career in New York. He also scored five goals and assisted three others, finding an effective role in a talented attack. Colorado is really stacking up on depth and talent in about every position on the field, especially in attack. Lewis’ jump in production was just what his MLS career needed, but he needs to increase his level of play again if he wants to break into a deeper starting XI.

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