Author Archives: Joseph Samelson

Rapids Journal

Galván Might Arrive Before July, but Don’t Bet On It

Multiple reports surfaced out of Argentina this week suggesting that the Colorado Rapids participated a meeting with representatives of Club Atlético Colón to discuss the early sale of Braian Galván. The Argentinian Youth International will join the Rapids when his contract expires in July at the latest, regardless of what’s ultimately decided in a series of talks reportedly held in Miami, FL.

After their hastily-constructed appeal to FIFA seemingly fell on deaf ears, Los Sabaleros are eager to come to terms to avoid losing one of their marquee prospects without a dime to show for him. However, quite a few factors are working against an early agreement.

Continue reading →
Standard
Rapids Journal

Rapids Looking Forward in Final Week of Preseason

Cynical observers of the post-Hudson bump experienced by the Rapids in 2019 regularly commented that the shift in form wouldn’t be sustainable. As the club enters the final week of preseason, Colorado appears poised to assuage all doubts.

“As we put a group together we start to see these sorts of cohesive ideas,” Head Coach Robin Fraser said of the Rapids’ style of play following the club’s 4-2 drubbing of Chicago Fire F.C. in the club’s first public preseason match. “It feels like we’re moving in the right direction.”

Saturday’s match exhibited that Colorado’s ideas behind attacking, possession-with-purpose soccer hadn’t died with the threat of the plague-ridden rodents surrounding Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Continue reading →
Standard
Rapids Journal

Four Questions Facing the Rapids in Preseason [Updated]

After a busy week that saw the Colorado Rapids finalize terms with three major attacking talents, the first team reported to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for physicals Saturday morning. The offseason is finally over and we’ll soon have our first glimpse of the 2020 Colorado Rapids. Several years of roster building and three coaches have brought the Rapids to this moment, leaving supporters in anxious anticipation for Opening Day.

Continue reading →
Standard
Preseason

Source: MLS Backs Galván Transfer to Rapids Despite Colón Protests

Colorado’s celebrations after announcing the acquisition of highly-regarded youth prospect Braian Galván were cut short at the eleventh hour after a letter from the winger’s current club was leaked to Argentinian media. In the document, Club Atlético Colón asserted that the Rapids had violated FIFA rules when they finalized a pre-contract agreement with Galván Thursday morning.

However, a reliable source from within the Colorado Rapids organization has since confirmed with Rapids Republic that Major League Soccer is fully supporting the acquisition despite protests from the Argentinian club.

Continue reading →
Standard
Rapids Journal

How Younes Namli and Nicolas Benezet Could Reshape the Rapids Attack

Colorado’s offseason began at an astronomical pace: the club finalized terms with Columbus bring on Lalas Abubakar permanently, spent a tidy sum to secure up-and-coming defender Auston Trusty, and brought in veteran leader Drew Moor out of free agency. However, since Moor joined on November 27, the Rapids camp has been notably silent. Thursday’s SuperDraft acquisitions notwithstanding, Colorado’s offseason has been primarily marked with hype and anticipation regarding the club’s promised signings.

But now, at least two attacking acquisitions are likely to be announced by the Rapids in the coming week.

Continue reading →
Standard
Rapids Journal

Strange SuperDraft Sees Rapids Acquire Promising Depth Options

The opening two rounds of Major League Soccer’s 25th annual SuperDraft will be remembered as one of those quintessential “You Just Had To Be There” moments in league history.

Faced with the Draft’s dwindling relevance over the last decade, league officials shifted the activities surrounding the event entirely online for the first time. Now divorced of its usual relationship with the yearly United Soccer Coaches Convention, Thursday’s SuperDraft experienced more than its fair share of oddities – including one that directly impacted Colorado’s first round selection.

Continue reading →
Standard
Season Review

All 2019 Rapids Report Cards

Above everything else, 2019 was a year of upheaval for the Colorado Rapids. With mother nature’s constant weather interruptions, the plague descending upon the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, and three managers, the year has been a remarkable journey for those who follow the torrid adventures of Colorado’s MLS offering.

Continue reading →
Standard