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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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SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – AUGUST 03: Yuri Zhirkov of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and Younes Namli (in front) of FC Krasnodar vie for the ball during the Russian Premier League match between FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and FC Krasnodar on August 3, 2019 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – AUGUST 03: Yuri Zhirkov of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and Younes Namli (in front) of FC Krasnodar vie for the ball during the Russian Premier League match between FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and FC Krasnodar on August 3, 2019 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images) /

1. Younes Namli

The Colorado Rapids joined in on the Designated Player signings during the 2019 winter transfer window when they went out and filled their first DP slot with Danish midfielder Younes Namli. Namli comes to MLS from the Russian First Division and has been on the club’s radar for a reported two years now. He arrived in Denver at the beginning of the month and looks to help bolster an attack that was already one of the best in MLS last season.

The coaching staff is excited about what he brings to the field. ‘He’s an interesting player because he’s a good dribbler, and when I say he’s a good dribbler I mean he can run by guys and beat guys, or he can unbalance defenders to give himself room to make passes,’ head coach Robin Fraser said. ‘He’s the type of person that’s going to eliminate his player, which is going to force other players to come to him which is going to open other things up.’

Namli is on a two-year loan with an option to buy, but for a player so sought after, it is hoped that he can make an immediate impact. As of right now, he is the only DP on the Rapid’s roster, which is a scary thought considering the vast investment throughout the league.

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Either way, Namli looks to enhance the club’s play on both sides of the ball but with an offensive focus. And he’s excited about it too, ‘I don’t want to talk too much about it. It’s best to show,’ Namli said when asked about his style of play. He — and the Colorado Rapids — will be hoping he can do exactly that in 2020.

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