2020 Colorado Rapids season

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OwnerStan Kroenke
Head coachRobin Fraser
Major League SoccerConference: 5th
Overall: 10th
MLS Cup PlayoffsFirst round
Colorado Rapids
2020 season
OwnerStan Kroenke
Head coachRobin Fraser
Major League SoccerConference: 5th
Overall: 10th
MLS Cup PlayoffsFirst round
U.S. Open CupCanceled
MLS is Back TournamentGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Jonathan Lewis
Cole Bassett (5)
All: Jonathan Lewis
Cole Bassett (5)
Biggest winRSL 0–5 COL
(September 12)
COL 5–0 SJ
(September 23)
Biggest defeatSKC 4–0 COL
(October 24)
← 2019
2021 →

The 2020 Colorado Rapids season was the club's twenty-fifth season of existence and their twenty-fifth consecutive season in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of American soccer. The club qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season. Colorado were also set compete in the U.S. Open Cup before its cancellation. The season covers the period from October 7, 2019, to the conclusion of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Colorado finished the 2019 season 9th in the Western Conference table, and 16th overall in MLS. Kei Kamara lead Colorado with 14 goals across all competitions. The club fired head coach Anthony Hudson on May 1, 2019, following a nine-match winless streak to start the season.[1] Conor Casey served as interim head coach until the hiring of Robin Fraser as the club's new head coach on August 25.[2] Outside of MLS play, the Rapids played in the 2019 edition of the U.S. Open Cup, where they lost in the fourth round to New Mexico United.

Overview

The Rapids started the season with wins over D.C. United and Orlando City SC[3] before Major League Soccer paused the 2020 season due to COVID-19.[4] The league returned to action in July with the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fla., with Colorado in Group D with Minnesota United FC, Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City.[5] After another month-long pause, MLS returned to in-market play in August. Colorado took three points from four games before reclaiming the Rocky Mountain Cup with a 5-0 win over RSL on Sept. 12.[6] The win was Colorado's first ever at Rio Tinto Stadium and started a run of three wins in four, including three clean sheets. After a series of positive COVID test results, MLS postponed Rapids matches for one month.[7] In all, five Rapids matches were cancelled, which, in addition to other cancellations around the league, prompted MLS to alter MLS Cup Playoff qualification to a points per game basis.[8] The Rapids won their final three matches to qualify for the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, capturing the fifth seed in the Western Conference.[9] Colorado visited fourth-seed Minnesota and lost, 3-0.[10]

The season saw head coach Robin Fraser post the best record of any Rapids head coach through his first 25 games in charge. In their first 25 games under Fraser, the Rapids scored 47 goals, won 13 games and earned 43 points, all the most by a Rapids head coach since the introduction of draws to MLS in 2000.[11]

After scoring the third-most goals in MLS with 58 in 2019, Colorado scored 32 goals in 18 games. Colorado's 1.78 goals per game ranked sixth in MLS in 2020. The Rapids also posted their first positive goal differential (+4) since 2016 and the seventh time in club history.[12]

Several Rapids enjoyed breakout years in 2020, including Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett and Homegrown defender Sam Vines. Bassett, from Littleton, Colo., turned 19 in July and finished the season as Colorado's leader with five goals and five assists. Vines, 21 years old from Colorado Springs, was the only player on the roster to play every minute in the regular season, adding the first goal and three assists of his MLS career.[13] The duo was named to MLS 22 Under 22 for a second consecutive year.[14] In February, Vines became the first Rapids Academy product to start a match for the USMNT, while Bassett scored four goals in four appearances with the U.S. U-20s and earned his first senior USMNT call-up for the December 2020 camp, joining Rapids teammates Vines and midfielder Kellyn Acosta. It was Acosta's first call-up in two years.[15]

Roster

As of September 23, 2020[16]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  USA Clint Irwin
2 DF  USA Keegan Rosenberry
3 DF  USA Drew Moor
4 DF  SCO Danny Wilson
5 DF  USA Auston Trusty
6 DF  GHA Lalas Abubakar
7 FW  USA Jonathan Lewis
9 FW  FRA Nicolas Benezet
10 MF  USA Kellyn Acosta
11 FW  CHI Diego Rubio
13 DF  USA Sam Vines (HGP)
15 GK  USA Andre Rawls
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF  USA Jeremy Kelly
19 MF  ENG Jack Price (captain)
20 MF  URU Nicolás Mezquida
21 MF  DEN Younes Namli (DP)
24 DF  USA Kortne Ford (HGP)
26 MF  USA Cole Bassett (HGP)
27 DF  NZL Deklan Wynne
32 MF  USA Collen Warner
33 DF  IRN Steven Beitashour
50 GK  USA William Yarbrough
52 FW  ARG Braian Galván
99 FW  BRA Andre Shinyashiki

Out on loan

As of March 6, 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
12 FW  USA Niki Jackson
14 DF  RWA Abdul Rwatubyaye
16 MF  USA Will Vint (HGP)
22 DF  USA Sebastian Anderson (HGP)
29 FW  USA Matt Hundley (HGP)
30 GK  USA Abraham Rodriguez (HGP)

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Preseason

January 29 1 Cal State Fullerton Titans 1–1 Colorado Rapids Fullerton, California
11:30AM MST 93' (pen.) Report Moor 52' Stadium: Titan Stadium
Note: One 45-minute period, followed by two 30-minute periods.f
February 1 2 Orange County SC 0–4 Colorado Rapids Irvine, California
Report Bassett 23'
Kamara 39'
Jackson 55', 69'		 Stadium: Orange County Great Park
February 8 3 Colorado Rapids 0–4 Toronto FC Irvine, California
12:00PM MST Report
Report		 Gallardo 20'
Altidore 46'
Osorio 49'
Shaffelburg 67'		 Stadium: University of California, Irvine
Note: Played in two 60-minute halves.
February 12 4 Colorado Rapids 1–3 New England Revolution Carson, California
Lewis 57' Report Rivera 7', 19'
Buchanan 53'		 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
February 15 5 Colorado Rapids 4–2 Chicago Fire FC Carson, California
12:00 PM Shinyashiki 22'
Nicholson 53'
Acosta 60'
Mezquida 84'		 Report
Report		 Sapong 9'
Collier 79'		 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
February 19 5 LA Galaxy 2–1 Colorado Rapids California
DePuy 45'
González 76'		 Report Rubio 15' Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
February 22 7 Colorado Rapids 1–1 Toronto FC Carson, California
12:00 PM Shinyashiki 3' Report Endoh 1' Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park

Major League Soccer

Standings

Western Conference
Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
3 Portland Timbers 23 11 6 6 46 35 +11 39 1.70 MLS Cup First Round
4 Minnesota United FC 21 9 5 7 36 26 +10 34 1.62
5 Colorado Rapids 18 8 6 4 32 28 +4 28 1.56
6 FC Dallas 22 9 6 7 28 24 +4 34 1.55
7 Los Angeles FC 22 9 8 5 47 39 +8 32 1.45
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Overall table
2020 MLS overall standings
Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
8 Portland Timbers (M) 23 11 6 6 46 35 +11 39 1.70 CONCACAF Champions League
9 Minnesota United FC 21 9 5 7 36 26 +10 34 1.62
10 Colorado Rapids 18 8 6 4 32 28 +4 28 1.56
11 FC Dallas 22 9 6 7 28 24 +4 34 1.55
12 Los Angeles FC 22 9 8 5 47 39 +8 32 1.45
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(M) MLS is Back Tournament champions

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
18 28 8 6 4 32 28  +4 3 1 3 15 10  +5 5 5 1 17 18  −1

Source: MLS standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results by round

Round123456891011712131415161718
StadiumAHAAHHHAHAAAHAAHAA
ResultWWLLDLDDDWLWWLLWWW
Source: Colorado schedule
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Match results

February 29 1 D.C. United 1–2 Colorado Rapids Washington, D.C.
11:00 AM MST Canouse 60'
Moreno Yellow card 64'
Mora Yellow card 76'
Brillant Yellow card 87'		 Report Shinyashiki Yellow card 58'
Kamara 67'
Lewis 90+2'		 Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 16,932
Referee: Nima Saghafi
March 7 2 Colorado Rapids 2–1 Orlando City SC Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MST Namli Yellow card 24', 64'
Moor Yellow card 55', 90'
Acosta Yellow card 76'		 Report Moutinho Yellow card 15'
Schlegel Yellow card 81'
Mueller 82'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 13,062
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
August 22 6 Colorado Rapids 1–4 Real Salt Lake Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Herrera 38' (o.g.) Report Kreilach 57', Yellow card 78'
Chang 76', Yellow card 88'
Baird 85'
Meram 89'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
August 29 8 Colorado Rapids 1–1 Sporting Kansas City Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Price Yellow card 47'
Acosta Yellow card 52'
Bassett 57'
Rubio Yellow card 82'		 Report Smith Yellow card 63'
Kinda Yellow card 65' Yellow-red card 78'
Busio 67'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Armando Villarreal
September 5 9 San Jose Earthquakes 1–1 Colorado Rapids San Jose, California
8:30 PM MDT Marie Yellow card 1'
Alanís Yellow card 38'
Jungwirth Yellow card 50'
Espinoza Yellow card 57'
Wondolowski 59' (pen.)		 Report Acosta Yellow card 45'
Kamara 81'
Bassett Yellow card 83'
Abubakar Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Earthquakes Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Kevin Stott
September 9 10 Colorado Rapids 1–1 Houston Dynamo Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Abubakar Yellow card 6', 90+6'
Lewis Yellow card 20'
Rubio Yellow card 90+2'		 Report Ramirez 46' Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
September 12 11 Real Salt Lake 0–5 Colorado Rapids Sandy, Utah
7:30 PM MDT Toia Yellow card 54'
Martínez Red card 64'		 Report Rubio 3', 10'
Vines 49'
Galván 55'
Price Yellow card 69'
Bassett 88'		 Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ramy Touchan
September 16 7 FC Dallas 4–1 Colorado Rapids Frisco, Texas
6:30 PM MDT Mosquera 41', 57', 78'
Santos Yellow card 44'
Jara 49'		 Report Shinyashiki 63' Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Note: Game was originally scheduled for August 26.
September 19 12 LA Galaxy 0–2 Colorado Rapids Carson, California
8:30 PM MDT DePuy Yellow card 63'
Araujo Yellow card 72' Yellow-red card 75'
Steres Yellow card 90+6'		 Report Bassett 40'
Lewis 78'		 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ted Unkel
September 23 13 Colorado Rapids 5–0 San Jose Earthquakes Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Bassett 35'
Acosta Yellow card 38'
Shinyashiki Yellow card 44', 84'
Lewis 50'
Thompson 70' (o.g.)
Mezquida 79'		 Report Judson Yellow card 43'
Hoesen Yellow card 86'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Drew Fischer
October 7 Colorado Rapids v Los Angeles FC Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Note: Match was postponed after a staff member from the Colorado Rapids tested positive for COVID-19. Postponed matches were later cancelled.
October 10 Colorado Rapids v LA Galaxy Commerce City, Colorado
5:00 PM MDT Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Note: Match was postponed after a staff member from the Colorado Rapids tested positive for COVID-19. Postponed matches were later cancelled.
October 14 Seattle Sounders FC v Colorado Rapids Seattle, Washington
8:00 PM MDT Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 0
Note: Match was postponed after a staff member from the Colorado Rapids tested positive for COVID-19.[17] Postponed matches were later cancelled.
October 18 Colorado Rapids v Real Salt Lake Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Note: Match was postponed after a staff member from the Colorado Rapids tested positive for COVID-19.[17] Postponed matches were later cancelled.
October 21 Colorado Rapids v Sporting Kansas City Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Note: Reschedule of postponed September 27 match[18] Match was postponed again after a staff member from the Colorado Rapids tested positive for COVID-19.[17]
October 24 14 Sporting Kansas City 4–0 Colorado Rapids Kansas City, Kansas
6:30 PM MDT Dia Yellow card 11'
Pulido 54'
Fontàs 67'
Shelton Yellow card 74'
Lindsey Yellow card 85'
Kinda 88'
Gerso 90+3', Yellow card 90+4'		 Report Warner Yellow card 23'
Abubakar Yellow card 47'		 Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Drew Fischer
October 28 15 Minnesota United FC 2–1 Colorado Rapids Saint Paul, Minnesota
6:00 PM MDT Lod 44'
Abubakar 89' (o.g.)		 Report Price Yellow card 32'
Wilson Yellow card 57'
Shinyashiki 69'		 Stadium: Allianz Field
Attendance: 0
Referee: Tori Penso
November 1 16 Colorado Rapids 3–1 Seattle Sounders FC Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MDT Shinyashiki 11'
Rosenberry 42'
Bassett 75'		 Report Morris 22', Yellow card 73'
Gómez Andrade Yellow card 35'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
November 4 17 Portland Timbers 0–1 Colorado Rapids Portland, Oregon
8:00 PM MDT D. Chará Yellow card 49'
Bonilla Yellow card 81'
Župarić Yellow card 90+4'		 Report Acosta 83'
Mezquida Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Note: Originally scheduled for October 3, postponed due to members of the Rapids testing positive for COVID-19[19]
November 8 18 Houston Dynamo 1–2 Colorado Rapids Houston, Texas
4:30 PM MDT Figueroa Yellow card 42'
Cerén Yellow card 56'
Cabrera Yellow card 59'
Manotas 69'		 Report Namli 61'
Abubakar Yellow card 90+1'
Rubio 90+3'		 Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Alex Chilowicz

MLS Cup Playoffs

The Rapids clinched a spot in the playoffs on November 4.

November 22 First Round (4) Minnesota United FC 3–0 (5) Colorado Rapids Saint Paul, Minnesota
5:30 PM MST Molino 22', 79'
Boxall Yellow card 52'
Lod 54'		 Report Namli Yellow card 44'
Abubakar Yellow card 50'		 Stadium: Allianz Field
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ted Unkel

MLS is Back Tournament

Group stage

Group D results
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Sporting Kansas City 3 2 0 1 6 4 +2 6 Advanced to knockout stage
2 Minnesota United FC 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5
3 Real Salt Lake 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
4 Colorado Rapids 3 0 1 2 4 7 −3 1
Source: MLS[20]
Real Salt Lake2–0Colorado Rapids
Rusnák 27'
Kreilach 76'		 Report
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Sporting Kansas City3–2Colorado Rapids
Shelton 65'
Pulido 72'
Zusi 90+1'		 Report Acosta 6'
Lewis 84'
Referee: David Gantar
Colorado Rapids2–2Minnesota United FC
Kamara 19'
Lewis 59'		 Report Finlay 36', 43'
Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.

U.S. Open Cup

Note: The 2020 U.S Open Cup was suspended on March 13, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was canceled on August 14.

Third round –
(MDT)

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Numbers after plus–sign (+) denote appearances as a substitute.

No. Pos Nat Player TotalMLSMLS Cup Playoffs
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK United States USA Clint Irwin 404000
2 DF United States USA Keegan Rosenberry 18116+1110
3 DF United States USA Drew Moor 815+3100
4 DF Scotland SCO Danny Wilson 1009010
5 DF United States USA Auston Trusty 805+3000
6 DF Ghana GHA Lalas Abubakar 18117110
7 FW United States USA Jonathan Lewis 1957+11510
9 FW France FRA Nicolas Benezet 1305+700+10
10 MF United States USA Kellyn Acosta 16214+1210
11 FW Chile CHI Diego Rubio 17312+4310
13 DF United States USA Sam Vines 1911810+10
15 GK United States USA Andre Rawls 000000
18 DF United States USA Jeremy Kelly 802+6000
19 MF England ENG Jack Price 17014+2010
20 MF Uruguay URU Nicolás Mezquida 1812+1510+10
21 MF Denmark DEN Younes Namli 18216+1210
24 DF United States USA Kortne Ford 000000
26 MF United States USA Cole Bassett 15512+2510
27 DF New Zealand NZL Deklan Wynne 000000
32 MF United States USA Collen Warner 704+3000
50 GK United States USA William Yarbrough 15014010
52 FW Argentina ARG Braian Galván 1012+710+10
99 FW Brazil BRA Andre Shinyashiki 16414+1410
Players transferred/loaned out during the season
12 FW United States USA Niki Jackson 000000
14 DF Rwanda RWA Abdul Rwatubyaye 000000
16 MF United States USA Will Vint 000000
22 DF United States USA Sebastian Anderson 000000
23 FW Sierra Leone SLE Kei Kamara 935+4300
28 FW Scotland SCO Sam Nicholson 202000
29 FW United States USA Matt Hundley 000000
30 GK United States USA Abraham Rodriguez 000000

Top scorers

Rank Position Number Name MLS MLS Cup Playoffs Total
1 FW7United States Jonathan Lewis 505
MF26United States Cole Bassett 505
3 FW99Brazil Andre Shinyashiki 404
4 FW11Chile Diego Rubio 303
FW23Sierra Leone Kei Kamara 303
6 MF10United States Kellyn Acosta 202
MF21Denmark Younes Namli 202
8 DF2United States Keegan Rosenberry 101
DF3United States Drew Moor 101
DF6Ghana Lalas Abubakar 101
DF13United States Sam Vines 101
MF20Uruguay Nicolás Mezquida 101
FW52Argentina Braian Galván 101
Total30030
  • Last updated: November 22, 2020
  • Source: Team Goals

Top assists

Rank Position Number Name MLS MLS Cup Playoffs Total
1 MF26United States Cole Bassett 505
2 FW11Chile Diego Rubio 404
MF19England Jack Price 404
4 DF13United States Sam Vines 303
MF21Denmark Younes Namli 303
6 DF2United States Keegan Rosenberry 202
FW9France Nicolas Benezet 202
8 DF5United States Auston Trusty 101
MF10United States Kellyn Acosta 101
MF18United States Jeremy Kelly 101
MF20Uruguay Nicolás Mezquida 101
FW23Sierra Leone Kei Kamara 101
FW52Argentina Braian Galván 101
Total29029

Clean sheets

Rank Position Number Name MLS MLS Cup Playoffs Total
1 GK50United States William Yarbrough 404
Total404

Disciplinary record

Rank No. Pos. Player MLS MLS Cup Playoffs Total
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card
1 6DFGhana Lalas Abubakar 500100600
2 19MFEngland Jack Price 401000401
10MFUnited States Kellyn Acosta 500000500
4 11FWChile Diego Rubio 300000300
5 4DFScotland Danny Wilson 101000101
3DFUnited States Drew Moor 200000200
21MFDenmark Younes Namli 100100200
99FWBrazil Andre Shinyashiki 200000200
9 1GKUnited States Clint Irwin 100000100
7FWUnited States Jonathan Lewis 100000100
9FWFrance Nicolas Benezet 100000100
20MFUruguay Nicolás Mezquida 100000100
23FWSierra Leone Kei Kamara 100000100
26MFUnited States Cole Bassett 100000100
32MFUnited States Collen Warner 100000100
Total30022003202

Transfers

See also

References

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