COLORADO RAPIDS
LAST YEAR: 14-11-9 (Fifth in Western Conference).
WHO’S BACK: D Marvell Wynne, D Drew Moor, M Nick LaBrocca, F Deshorn Brown, F Edson Buddle, D Chris Klute, GK Clint Irwin, M Dillon Powers, M Nathan Sturgis, F Gabriel Torres, D Shane O’Neill, F Vicente Sanchez, F Kamani Hill, D Brian Mullan, F Danny Mwanga, M Dillon Serna.
WHO’S GONE: Coach Oscar Pareja, M Martin Rivero, M Hendry Thomas, D German Mera, D Diego Calderon, M Jaime Castrillon, M Jamie Smith, D Anthony Wallace.
WHO’S NEW: F Marvin Chavez, F Charles Eloundou, M Marlon Hairston, M Jose Mari, D Grant Van De Casteele, M Jared Watts.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Rapids haven’t named a permanent head coach just yet after Oscar Pareja left in January to take the same job with his former club, FC Dallas. Pablo Mastroeni has been leading the team through the preseason and could possibly be given the title before the season opener. As the longtime captain for the Rapids, Mastroeni left with several club records, including most games played. The new coach inherits a youthful team, with several players turning in breakout seasons in 2013. That list includes Brown, the team’s leading goal scorer, and Klute, who led the club in assists. Powers was the MLS rookie of the year in 2013 and Irwin played so well down the stretch that starting keeper Matt Pickens couldn’t get his job back once he returned from a broken arm. Colorado will again rely heavily on its youth this season, counting on draft picks such as Hairston, Van De Casteele and Watts to step up.
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