2024 MLS Season Preview: Colorado Rapids | Morning Footy | CBS Sports Golazo

Morning Footy continue their 2024 MLS season previews by looking at the Colorado Rapids. Can Chris Armas succeed in 2024? How will Colorado Rapids line up this season?

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[mbruno]

The thumbnail for the video is showing Michael Barrios who is no longer with the Rapids since he was traded to the Galaxy in August of last season. Miguel Navarro will not be Colorado's left back since he is on loan to CA Talleres. (Vines when healthy will definitely be the starting LB) The projected lineup is probably one of the better ones I've seen, but I think Moise Bombito will get the start over Abubakar based on the pre-season lineups and last year's performances. While I do think Loffelsend will be the starter on Saturday vs Portland, Lamine Diack should make a push for that starting position this season if he is going to get a deal to stay in CO past his summer loan.

Elevation has become a lot less of an advantage since the league changed their substitution rules. With only 3 player substitutions most teams would sub in offensive pieces leaving tired outside and center-backs in place to deal with speedy wingers coming off the bench. Now, with 5 subs (plus 2 concussion subs) teams are able to swap in fresh legs in defense too. Still a factor, but a lot less so than in seasons before the change.

Colorado finally has 3 offensive DP's. Unfortunately 2 of them are Rafael Navarro and Kevin Cabral who COMBINED for something like 3 goals, 1 assist, and 10 yellow cards last season. Our U22 slots are being used a bit better, with Basset and Vines taking up two slots while our 3rd is being used for Sidnei Tavares who I think is really going to struggle to find playing time this season (I expect him to be sent back to FC Porto when his loan expires during the summer). I don't see Cabral doing anything this season again. But, I would be happy to be wrong about it. Maybe we can get something to click with Navarro, but we really have not seen that yet. Hopefully, if these players don't work out we will see just as active of a summer transfer window as we did this winter. That would be a real indication that ownership actually does care about building something here. Not holding my breath of course.