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Team:&nbsp;Colorado Rapids
Coach:&nbsp;Oscar Pareja
Last Season:&nbsp;12-9-13, 5th West, 6th Overall
Twitter Hashtag:&nbsp;#Rapids
From MLS champions to gutted in the past season, the Colorado Rapids enter the season wondering “what if”. &nbsp;A new front office and new coach will try to repeat the incredible playoff run of two years ago with an older and more injury-prone group of players and a philosophy seeking to play more up-tempo.
But what a group of players they are. &nbsp;When healthy, the Colorado starting XI could conceivably match up with any team in MLS. &nbsp;How these players handle a new philosophy will go a long way towards seeing if they can make another MLS Cup run. &nbsp;Not having Champions League matches will certainly help with their schedule.
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Coaching Staff and Front Office: &nbsp;This was the story for the team in the offseason as the&nbsp;acrimonious relationship between Gary Smith and the front office ended up with Smith coaching in the English third division and new faces running the franchise. &nbsp;The new head coach is Oscar Pareja, an assistant with FC Dallas who is also a former MLS player. &nbsp;The Colombian knows MLS well and should adjust quickly to being a head coach, although there is always an unpredictability in first-time coaches. &nbsp;The staff he has assembled so far is heavy with South American influences and coaching experience, recently inking <a href="http:\/\/www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/01/cabrera-caffrey-join-parejas-coaching-staff" target="_blank">Wilmer Cabrera</a> as an assistant after he was let go as the U.S. U-17 head coach.
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While Technical Director Paul Bravo <a href="http:\/\/www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/02/mls-notes-bravo-signs-extension-with-rapids-revs-sign-moreno-and-more.html" target="_blank">recently signed an extension</a>, the <a href="http:\/\/www.socceramerica.com/article/44988/rapids-name-former-derby-exec-hinchey-as-president.html" target="_blank">team’s new president</a> is Tim Hinchey from Derby County in the English first division. &nbsp;The new front office has already been aggressive in rebuilding the depth of this team and is looking to put an exciting, pro-goal team on the pitch.
Key Roster Additions: &nbsp;The biggest addition may be yet to come. &nbsp;A rumor has been swirling in the Rapids’ blogosphere that a mystery signing of a major contributor would be made prior to the season. &nbsp;In the past few days, that rumor has been confirmed as the team has sought to sign <a href="http:\/\/www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_19955442" target="_blank">22 year old Martin Rivero</a>. &nbsp;The attacking midfielder has had a falling out with his current club Rosario Central and is looking for a new home. &nbsp;If signed (<a href="http:\/\/www.burgundywave.com/2012/2/15/2799434/martin-rivero-colorado-rapids-delay" target="_blank">and that’s a major “if” at this point</a>), he would instantly help the Colorado attack.
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As for players who have actually signed with the team, Hunter Freeman was the biggest name acquired this offseason. &nbsp;The fullback most recently of the Dynamo was selected by the Rapids in the Re-Entry draft and instantly gives some depth to the defense and midfield. &nbsp;He also returns to where his MLS career began. &nbsp;The <a href="http:\/\/www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_19821501" target="_blank">signing of midfielder Jaime Castrillon</a> also gives the Rapids more offense options in midfield.
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Key Roster Subtractions: &nbsp;It is questionable how important these players’ departures are in the grand scheme of things, but the names that left this offseason were important for Rapids fans. &nbsp;Macoumba Kandji was a little used forward who spent all of last season injured, but scored the winning goal in the 2010 MLS Cup. &nbsp;He was <a href="http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/colorado-rapids-trade-kandji-to-houston-dynamo-for-conditional-draft-pick/2012/02/08/gIQAEdLL0Q_story.html" target="_blank">traded to Houston</a> last week for a draft pick. &nbsp;Caleb Folan, an inconsistent striker who was the team’s second leading goal scorer last season, <a href="http:\/\/www.burgundywave.com/2012/2/3/2769137/caleb-folan-transfer-rumors-colorado-rapids-part-ways" target="_blank">was released </a>by the team to pursue his career elsewhere. &nbsp;But the team’s biggest loss has to be Sanna Nyassi, a winger who at times was quick and a dynamic threat from the outside. &nbsp;He will likely be replaced by 2012 draft pick <a href="http:\/\/www.burgundywave.com/2012/1/7/2686307/with-the-14th-overall-pick-tony-cascio" target="_blank">Tony Cascio</a>.
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Projected Starters: &nbsp;The starting XI for the Colorado Rapids is currently pretty much set, as it was the depth that did the team in last year (and maybe some erratic coaching). &nbsp;Solid to good keeper Matt Pickens mans the back and can be counted on to keep his team in a game. &nbsp;The defense in front of him will probably be Hunter Freeman/Anthony Wallace, Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor (who looks to be back healthy from his 2010 injury) and Kosuke Kimura.
If Pareja incorporates a more up-tempo attacking style, then the midfield lineup could change. &nbsp;Returning from 2011 however will be the entire midfield. &nbsp;Captain Pablo Mastroeni is the strength of the team both as the holding midfielder and long-time Rapid. &nbsp;Attacking midfielder Jeff Larentowicz was tied for second with six goals last season while Brian Mullan and Jaime Smith could man the wings. &nbsp;Expect to see Castrillon see more than a few starts this season.
Up front the names are known commodities, and the only key to their success is if they can stay healthy. &nbsp;Conor Casey is the team’s big number nine and was sorely missed when he was out with injury last season. &nbsp;Omar Cummings is his complement, who again when healthy can create space by burning defenders and feeding the ball to Casey or creating his own shots.
Player to Watch: &nbsp;If the team wants to be a more aggressive, attacking side, it will be up to Omar Cummings to be the player he was in 2010. &nbsp;The depth behind him has taken a hit and Casey needs someone to draw defenders away to create a little shooting room. &nbsp;This team wilts without his versatility.
Best Case Scenario: With the boardroom drama behind them and a relatively healthy season, this team is good enough to make the playoffs and take a run at the MLS Cup. &nbsp;The team restocks its second string players with good talent who can fill in or push for a starting job. &nbsp;They become everyone’s&nbsp;dark horse&nbsp;pick to win it all. &nbsp;Rivero signs and is everything he was advertised and more.
Worst Case Scenario: &nbsp;Injuries either were a convenient excuse for this team’s quick aging or they have slowed players like Casey and Cummings down permanently. &nbsp;The new up-tempo offense is stuck in neutral and the defense’s improvement was a mirage. &nbsp;Pareja fails to inspire and the team misses the playoffs while facing a major rebuild.
Prediction:&nbsp;The Rapids are back, and Pareja will immediately bring them back to the playoffs. &nbsp;They finish fourth in the Western Conference.
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