With only four matches left in the 2023 Major League Soccer season, the Colorado Rapids are on track for one of their worst seasons in the Rapids’ 28 year history. Established in 1995, the Colorado Rapids, based in Commerce City, have reaped the benefits of the only Colorado MLS side. In their history, the Rapids have made the postseason 15 times out of 27 seasons and won a championship in 2010. 

Since 2013, the Colorado Rapids have stumbled along, a mere 47% win percentage and four playoff appearances; not a single championship; it is as clear as can be, the Colorado Rapids have established themselves as one of the weakest teams in MLS. Before 2013, the Rapids were one of the strongest teams in MLS. 

In 2023 though, it is as clear as it’s ever been. Something is not right with the Colorado Rapids Organization. The Rapids have not been in an MLS Final, since that fateful night in Toronto, when the Rapids were delivered their first and only championship. The Rapids only have four playoff appearances since 2013, missing six out of nine opportunities to make them. For the modern-era Rapids, missing the playoffs has become all too familiar. The Rapids were the closest they’ve ever been to appearing in their third MLS final in 2016. After an explosive first-leg match in Seattle, the final score finished in 2-1. The Rapids unfortunately lost the second-leg in Commerce City and were denied just their second MLS Final appearance. 

The Rapids have demonstrated a dismal performance which reflects in their record for the season. Currently, last place in the Western Conference the Colorado Rapids have only won three total games with an overall record of 3-13-10. Four matches left in the season could mean all but the confirmation of the worst season record in Rapids’ history. All statistics point to the worst season in history for the Rapids, but what’s the problem? 

The squad can be blamed for many different reasons, but the Colorado Rapids have not adequately acquired a competitive enough squad in order to return to an MLS Cup Final. The Rapids, after success in what was known as the best team in Rapids history during the 2021 season, completely lost the players that were able to provide a competitive Rapids’ team. Part of the issue is the wealth in order to do so.

The complete reconstruction of the Rapids squad after their 2021 successes began with USMNT star, Kellyn Acosta, who was sold in the following offseason of 2021. Acosta was regarded in 2021 as the “machine” who carried the Rapids to their best season in existence. However,  many other players also contributed to the success of 2021. Homegrown Cole Bassett was let go and so was designated player, Younes Namli. Star Striker, Dominique Badji was also let go. The squad was replaced with the likes of Brazillian Max Alves and Bryan Acosta. Defender, Lucas Esteves was also added to the squad. The Rapids in 2022 were disappointing and finished 10th in MLS, missing playoffs just nearly. 

Leading into 2023, the overall morale around the Colorado Rapids was hopeful. The goal was to return back to their 2021 form. A squad reconstruction took place again, the Rapids let go of Esteves and later into the 2023 season, Barrios and Acosta would be let go. Kevin Cabral, Conor Ronan, and Rafael Navarro were added, but the squad still was not returning to their recent form, Head Coach, Robin Fraser in May of this year following a one  goal loss to Cincinnati said, “I can’t speak enough how hard this group is working, and we are so thin right now, guys are doing 90 minutes every three days.” This couldn’t be further from the truth, the Rapids in 2023,  are currently missing four members of the squad for the remainder of the season and three are questionable.

In 2023, it’s glaring just how low the squad depth is for the Rapids. Many younger squad members have had to fill in veteran areas for the Rapids. 

2023 for the Rapids will simply go down as a year to forget for the Rapids. Their worst ever season is set to end Oct. 21 , and no one really knows what’s next for this once annual playoff organization. Club President, Padraig Smith, spoke on the season and said, “ We have to look at this holistically at how to get us back on track, 2021 needs to be the standard at which we accept nothing else, and quite clearly we are not there this year.” Twenty new players have replaced the old squad from 2021 and frankly the replacements are not delivering. 

In 2023 there’s been many reasons why the Rapids have not been able to win games, but this season, it’s more clear than it’s ever been that the Rapids must change something. Head Coach, Robin Fraser has already been fired, but maybe it’s time to think about changing within the organization and the leaders that have led the Rapids to one of its worst seasons in existence.

The injuries and the squad replacements will continue to happen, but what is unacceptable for the Rapids is to continue an endless cycle of rebuilding the squad, dominating a season, then falling off. Not only this but the ownership group of the Colorado Rapids have completely neglected not only the team but also the stadium.  The cycle has continued since 2013 and nothing will change unless the cycle is broken. For club president Padraig Smith, the time may be now to invest in the youth, invest in the present, and build a dominating squad to return the Rapids to a perennial playoff squad. Unfortunately, now in the present, the 2023 Colorado Rapids season has already had the final whistle.