The 2010 MLS Playoffs champions ended last season 11th in the Western Conference, which marked the 2nd year in a row Rapids failed to qualify for the Playoffs. As for their U.S. Open Cup performance, Colorado was once again knocked out early in the 4th Round, where they lost to Nashville SC (2:0). With several disappointing seasons behind them, Rapids will hope to improve and repeat their 2010 season when they won the MLS Playoffs.
Head Coach: Anthony Hudson
Anthony Patrick Hudson, English professional, football manager is regarded as one of the best coaches in the MLS. After a long 11-year coaching career, Anthony Hudson got his job as the Colorado Rapids head coach in 2017. Before that, he coached Real Maryland Monarchs, Newport County, Bahrain U23, Bahrain national team, New Zealand U23 and New Zealand national team, with whom he qualified for the 2018 World Cup.
He was among the youngest coaches to receive the UEFA Pro Licence, which is the highest coaching award in football. Hudson received the reward back in 2012 with 31 years of age. As an interesting fact, Hudson became the youngest coach in Colorado Rapids history and was the youngest coach in the MLS 2018 season with 36 years of age.
Transfers
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Date | Name | Moving from | Moving to | Mode of Transfer |
December 9, 2018 | Zac MacMath | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps | Trade |
December 11, 2018 | Yannick Boli | Colorado Rapids | Ratchaburi Mitr Phol | Free |
December 18, 2018 | Edgar Castillo | Colorado Rapids | New England Revolution | Trade |
December 18, 2018 | Kelyn Rowe | Colorado Rapids | Sporting Kansas City | Trade |
December 20, 2018 | Enzo Martínez | Colorado Rapids | Charlotte Independence | Free |
December 22, 2018 | Caleb Calvert | Colorado Rapids | Saint Louis FC | Free |
January 11, 2019 | Marlon Hairston | Colorado Rapids | Houston Dynamo | Trade |
December 11, 2018 | Kei Kamara | FC Cincinnati | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
January 11, 2019 | Benny Feilhaber | Los Angeles FC | Colorado Rapids | Free |
December 18, 2018 | Kelyn Rowe | New England Revolution | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
December 14, 2018 | Andre Rawls | New York City | Colorado Rapids | Re-Entry Draft |
December 19, 2018 | Keegan Rosenberry | Philadelphia Union | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
December 18, 2018 | Diego Rubio | Sporting Kansas City | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
December 14, 2018 | Clint Irwin | Toronto FC | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
January 11, 2019 | Andre Shinyashiki | Denver Pioneers | Colorado Rapids | SuperDraft |
January 15, 2019 | Matt Hundley | UCLA Bruins | Colorado Rapids | Homegrown player |
January 15, 2019 | Sam Raben | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Colorado Rapids | Homegrown player |
December 9, 2018 | Nicolás Mezquida | Vancouver Whitecaps | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
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Expectations for the 2019 season
With all the additions to the team, I believe Colorado Rapids is a team that is capable of doing something, but then again, I don’t know exactly what that “something” is. In other words; I don’t really believe they should be considered among the favourites to appear in the playoffs, but in my opinion they, they are a “sleeper” team. With 7 spots open for playoffs, I can see Colorado striving to finish among top 7, which they just might achieve. But at the end of the day, they are still a mid-table team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qmWI3S1sdU