Editing Colorado Rapids (section)

==History==

===Early years===
[[File:Mile High Stadium on July 13, 1995.jpg|thumb|The Rapids played at [[Mile High Stadium]] from 1996 to 2001]]
The Colorado Rapids were one of the ten founding clubs of [[Major League Soccer]], owned and operated by the Anschutz Corporation. The inaugural 1996 season was a forgettable one for Colorado. Despite fielding experienced players like [[Shaun Bartlett]], [[Chris Henderson]], [[Chris Woods]], Roy Wegerle and [[Marcelo Balboa]], and head coach [[Bob Houghton]], the team finished last in the Western Conference with the worst record in the league. Balboa became the first player ever to score for the club and also the first to record a goal at Mile High Stadium (in 1996).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gallery Of Honor|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/club/history/galleryofhonor|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109131355/https://www.coloradorapids.com/club/history/galleryofhonor|archive-date=2021-01-09|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Colorado Rapids}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=April 2024}}

For the following season, [[Glenn Myernick]] was hired as a new head coach and Dan Counce joined as a general manager.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Colorado Rapids dump Myernick |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/13450/colorado-rapids-dump-myernick.html |access-date=2021-02-18|website=socceramerica.com|language=en}}</ref> Myernick and Counce brought new faces to the squad including [[Paul Bravo]], [[Wolde Harris]], [[Ross Paule]], and keeper [[Marcus Hahnemann]]. The team struggled early on, but rallied to grab a post-season spot. The Rapids pulled off two upsets and advanced to the [[1997 MLS Cup]] final. Chris Henderson scored a mid-air scissor kick goal past Dallas keeper [[Mark Dodd]] in the 87th minute in the Western Conference final, ensuring Colorado's place in the [[MLS Cup]] final. They scored in the MLS Cup (hosted at the home stadium of the opposing club) thanks to a goal by Adrián Paz, with the team and club barely able to make the trip thanks to an impending record snowstorm in Denver,  but lost the final 2–1 to [[D.C. United]].<ref name=":0" />

Colorado continued on a roller coaster of success alternating with major disappointment: Myernick brought in more new players including [[Anders Limpar]] and [[Marcus Hahnemann]] and the club made it to the 1999 [[U.S. Open Cup]] final, only to be upset 2–0 by the [[Rochester Raging Rhinos]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Open Cup REWIND: '99 Rhinos – If You Can't Join 'em, Beat 'em!|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2020/03/open-cup-rewind-99-rhinos-if-you-cant-join-em-beat-em|access-date=2021-02-18|website=ussoccer.com|language=en}}</ref>

The 2000 season boasted two of the more memorable moments in Rapids history.{{according to whom|date=April 2024}} The first was [[Marcelo Balboa]]'s famous bicycle kick which garnered the [[MLS Goal of the Year Award|Goal of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marcelo Balboa Recreates Best Goal In MLS History 20 Years Later|url=https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/marcelo-balboa-bicycle-kick-20-years-later|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The18}}</ref> The second was clinching a playoff spot in the final game of the season against the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], with Paul Bravo scoring in the 97th minute.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2000 Season In Review|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/club/history/2000|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814140331/https://www.coloradorapids.com/club/history/2000|archive-date=2020-08-14|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Colorado Rapids}}</ref>

[[File:ChrisHenderson.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|[[Chris Henderson]] playing for the Rapids in 2004]]

In 2001, [[Tim Hankinson]] took the reins as Colorado's new head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2001 Season In Review|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/club/history/2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806161914/https://www.coloradorapids.com/club/history/2001|archive-date=2020-08-06|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Colorado Rapids}}</ref> Scottish striker [[John Spencer (Scottish footballer)|John Spencer]] also joined the club that year. While Hankinson did bring effective players like [[Mark Chung]], [[Chris Henderson]], [[Carlos Valderrama (soccer player)|Carlos Valderrama]], and [[Joe Cannon (soccer)|Joe Cannon]] to the squad—and made the playoffs every year—Hankinson also signed a number of expensive and unsuccessful players including [[Zizi Roberts]] and [[Darryl Powell]]. During his coaching stint, the club also traded away club legend Marcelo Balboa, who would play one game for [[MetroStars]] before retiring.

The Rapids set a new MLS record for the lowest home Goals Against Average over an entire season with at 0.53 by only allowing eight goals in 15 matches at Invesco Field during the season, and never more than one in a single game. After Kansas City broke the Rapids' MLS record 16-game home undefeated streak on June 9, the Black & Blue reeled off 11 more undefeated home games. On the year Colorado was undefeated when scoring more than one goal, a credit to the play of goalkeeper Joe Cannon and the suffocating defense.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

===2007–13===
[[File:Dynamo vs Rapids-201.jpg|thumb|The Rapids (in pale blue) in action against [[Houston Dynamo]] in 2009]]

New head executive [[Jeff Plush]] took over the business responsibilities of the club when he was named Managing Director in January 2006. The club's colors were changed to burgundy and blue, to align with other clubs owned by Kroenke Sports Enterprises. This accompanied the company's commitment to building the world's largest professional soccer stadium and fields complex, [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]], which opened to worldwide acclaim in March 2007, and formulating relationships with another KSE soccer club, [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arsenal.com/usa/colorado-rapids/the-colorado-rapids-major-league-soccer-club |title = The Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer Club {{pipe}} Colorado Rapids |publisher = Arsenal.com |access-date = July 9, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121022144848/http://www.arsenal.com/usa/colorado-rapids/the-colorado-rapids-major-league-soccer-club |archive-date = October 22, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> of the English Premier League and [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]] of Mexico.

The Rapids enjoyed a successful inaugural year at [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]], hosting numerous international exhibitions and tournaments on the stadium's complex, and successfully bid and won the rights to host and produce the [[2007 MLS All-Star Game]]; on the pitch though the team's record was 9–13–8. The team started out strong with a 2–1 victory over D.C. United in frigid conditions. [[Herculez Gomez]] became the first player to score in the Rapids' brand new stadium. The team had a long winless streak that saw them sink in the standings. Colorado ultimately finished just shy of a playoff spot. Major low points in the season included an embarrassing 5–0 loss to the [[Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)|Seattle Sounders]] in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and a defeat to [[Real Salt Lake]] that saw them lose both a playoff berth and the possession of the Rocky Mountain Cup. The club won the [[MLS Reserve League]] for the second consecutive year.

Heading into the [[2008 Colorado Rapids season|2008 season]], Rapids GM Charlie Wright added depth to the midfield and defense. Major signings included [[Christian Gómez]] and [[Jose Burciaga Jr]]. The 2008 season saw a resurgent Rapids side, which started off the season with a complete thrashing of David Beckham and the LA Galaxy by a 4–0 score on Opening Day to launch the season. However, an inconsistent mid-season stretch where, for 13 games,<ref name="coloradorapids">[http://www.coloradorapids.com/history/2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616182351/http://www.coloradorapids.com/history/2008|date=June 16, 2011}}</ref> the Rapids could not win two games in a row or lose 2 in a row, saw Clavijo resign from the head coach position for personal reasons, and saw [[Gary Smith (footballer born 1968)|Gary Smith]], an assistant coach who came from the [[Arsenal F.C.]] system, take over on an interim basis with 11 games left in the season. Under Smith's direction, the Rapids surged into the playoff race, with two key away wins, but fall short of the playoffs in the last game of the season, against Real Salt Lake. Salt Lake tied the Rapids 1–1 in the 90th minute of that game to eliminate the Rapids from playoff contention.<ref name="coloradorapids" /> 

The [[2009 Colorado Rapids season|2009 campaign]] featured head coach [[Gary Smith (footballer born 1968)|Gary Smith]] in his first full season.<ref name="9news">{{cite web |url = http://www.9news.com/sports/soccer/mls/colorado_rapids/article.aspx?storyid=103687&catid=97 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130116025206/http://www.9news.com/sports/soccer/mls/colorado_rapids/article.aspx?storyid=103687&catid=97 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 16, 2013 |title = Rapids name Gary Smith Head Coach |publisher = 9news.com |date = November 11, 2008 |access-date = December 3, 2011 }}</ref> Smith's first appointment was ex-[[England national football team|England international]] [[Steve Guppy]] as his assistant; Guppy had spent the previous season at USL-1 team [[Rochester Rhinos]] as their player assistant coach. Shortly after, Rapids veteran midfielder [[Pablo Mastroeni]] re-signed with the club for four years after mulling potential offers from Europe.<ref name="9news" /> The Rapids also signed new four-year contracts with midfielders Colin Clark and Nick LaBrocca and defenders Jordan Harvey and Kosuke Kimura.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=Zos+sEziTHo=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927104111/http://www.coloradorapids.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=Zos+sEziTHo%3D|url-status=dead|title=News {{pipe}} Colorado Rapids|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> The Colorado Rapids acquired former QPR and Chicago Fire goalkeeper [[Matt Pickens]] to replace Senegalese goalkeeper [[Bouna Coundoul]]. The other major roster move included the arrival of [[Iván Guerrero]] from D.C. United in exchange for midfielder [[Christian Gomez]] and backup goalkeeper [[Mike Graczyk]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=WT1XZ24fC48=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616192709/http://www.coloradorapids.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=WT1XZ24fC48%3D|url-status=dead|title=News {{pipe}} Colorado Rapids|archive-date=June 16, 2011}}</ref> The media criticized the Rapids for not making more roster changes for the 2009 season. However, the core of the team remained intact.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/03/sbi-mls-power-rankings-week-1.html#more |title = SBI MLS Power Rankings |publisher = Soccer By Ives |date = March 16, 2009 |access-date = December 3, 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003221719/http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/03/sbi-mls-power-rankings-week-1.html#more |archive-date = October 3, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>

====2010 MLS Cup Champions====
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2017}}

The [[2010 Colorado Rapids season|2010 campaign]] featured many roster moves: [[Danny Earls]], [[Jeff Larentowicz]], [[Claudio López (footballer)|Claudio Lopez]], [[Quincy Amarikwa]], [[Ian Joyce]], and [[Wells Thompson]] join the club.  The offseason also included a new contract for star forward [[Conor Casey]]. The Colorado Rapids also excited many of the [[ultras]] supporter groups by the creation and construction of a supporters terrace within [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3960561 |title = Rapids Announce Creation Of New Supporters Terrace For 2010 |publisher = Oursportscentral.com |date = February 5, 2010 |access-date = December 3, 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629175001/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3960561 |archive-date = June 29, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> During the summer transfer window, the Colorado Rapids signed academy youth player [[Davy Armstrong]], and brought in defender [[Anthony Wallace (soccer)|Anthony Wallace]] from [[FC Dallas]]. Colorado also sent [[Mehdi Ballouchy]] to New York Red Bulls in exchange for [[Macoumba Kandji]] and acquired [[Brian Mullan]] from Houston Dynamo in exchange for [[Colin Clark (soccer)|Colin Clark]]. Following these changes, Colorado qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs and defeated the [[Columbus Crew]] in the first round. On November 13, Colorado hosted the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship and won by a score of 1–0, leading to the team's first trip to the MLS Cup since 1997. Colorado faced off against FC Dallas in the finals. During the final, the Rapids trailed 1–0 at halftime. Conor Casey equalized in the second half to send the game to [[extra time]]. [[Macoumba Kandji]] helped set up the game-winner that went off FC Dallas defender George John. Colorado won the 2010 MLS Cup 2–1, Colorado's first MLS Cup championship and first major trophy in the club's history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kohne |first=Sydney |date=November 21, 2021 |title=Reliving the 2010 MLS Cup Championship Eleven Years Later |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/reliving-the-2010-mls-cup-championship-eleven-years-later |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=Colorado Rapids}}</ref>

[[File:Colorado Rapids MLS Cup 2010 post-match.jpeg|thumb|right|Colorado Rapids after winning [[MLS Cup 2010]]]]

The [[2011 Colorado Rapids season|2011 campaign]] led to no roster changes.  However, [[Sanna Nyassi]] and [[Tyrone Marshall]] were signed from Seattle Sounders FC. [[Joseph Nane]] and [[Josh Janniere]] were additions from Toronto FC. Local product [[Steven Emory]] was signed after an [[open tryout]] during preseason. The Rapids made the headlines when [[Irish International]] and former [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] striker [[Caleb Folan]] signed with the club. The primary departure was defender [[Julian Baudet]]. Since Colorado won the 2010 MLS Cup, they automatically qualified for the group stages of the 2011–2012 CONCACAF Champions League. On September 9, Colorado signed versatile defender [[Miguel Comminges]]. The Guadeloupe International can play at either Left or Right back. On September 13, Comminges made his debut for Colorado as a substitute in a 4–1 home loss to [[Club Santos Laguna]] in the CONCACAF Champions League.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

The [[2012 Colorado Rapids season|2012 season]] began with several changes to the club. [[Oscar Pareja]] was appointed head coach following the departure of Gary Smith.  The team traded [[Sanna Nyassi]] to the [[CF Montréal|Montreal Impact]], and [[Macoumba Kandji]] to [[Houston Dynamo]]. Acquiring [[Hunter Freeman]], [[Jaime Castrillón]], Luis Zapata, and young [[Kamani Hill]] and the loan of young talent [[Martín Rivero]] the Rapids looked to begin on a positive note. After defeating the [[Columbus Crew]] 2–0 on opening day, things seemed promising. However, as the season ticked by, things started to turn for the worst. Looking for a turnaround, [[Hárrison Henao]] was loaned and Brazilian [[Luís Eduardo Schmidt|Edu]] was signed. In July, [[Kosuke Kimura]] was traded to the [[Portland Timbers]]. Shortly after, defender [[Tyson Wahl]] was brought in via trade from the [[CF Montréal|Montreal Impact]]. After a poor season, the Rapids looked for a late-season turnaround when they signed [[Hendry Thomas]] from [[Wigan Athletic]]. The Rapids were eliminated from playoff contention in late September ending hopes for another MLS cup.

The 2013 season for the Rapids saw massive changes made to the team. All-time leading goal scorer Conor Casey was released and [[Omar Cummings]] would be traded during the offseason, the Forward duo combining for 89 goals in the Rapids' careers. With the majority of the 2010 MLS Champions team gone (only 5 players remaining on the squad), the team looked considerably different. Coach Oscar Pareja wanting a squad of younger, more athletic players. Colorado finished the 2013 season campaign with a 14–11–9 (W-L-T) record which placed them fifth in the Western Conference, eighth in the overall standings. They were eliminated in the knockout round in the playoffs. During the off-season, [[Oscar Pareja]] revealed his desire to return to FC Dallas to be the head coach there after taking the opportunity to do so. Eventually, Colorado found his successor which would be none other than Colorado veteran [[Pablo Mastroeni]] who had previously retired as a player.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

===2014–2020===
Under Mastroeni's first year as head coach, Colorado finished eighth in the West and seventeenth overall having 8 wins, 18 losses, and 8 ties having the Rapids fail to qualify for the [[MLS Cup Playoffs]], after previously qualifying last year.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/mls/2014 |title = Standings 2014|publisher = MLSSoccer.com|access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref> Despite an upper-mid table performance to start the season, the club was plagued heavily by injuries, causing the team to go winless in their final fourteen matches of the season. In the [[U.S. Open Cup]], the Rapids were eliminated from the tournament to the [[Atlanta Silverbacks]]. Additionally, they were unable to defend their [[Rocky Mountain Cup]] title, losing to rivals, [[Real Salt Lake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/schedule?month=all&year=2014&club_options=Filters&op=Update&form_build_id=form-V6AEbKh7WeW0S--hilUPmrYNNR2VxFrvrQ0mbYH6TMA&form_id=mp7_schedule_hub_search_filters_form|title=Colorado Rapids Schedule|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref>

During the off-season following the 2015 season, where Colorado finished last in the Western Conference, The Rapids had made major changes in their line up, which includes acquiring players: [[Shkelzen Gashi]], [[Marco Pappa]], [[Jermaine Jones]] and [[Tim Howard]], who all joined by the summer transfer window. The club went on to having a successful 2016 campaign with a 15-game unbeaten streak and a trip to the western conference championship in which they lost to Seattle Sounders 3–1 aggregate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4643029&itype=CMSID|title=MLS: Sounders beat Rapids 1–0 to advance to MLS Cup|publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> The 2017 campaign saw the departure of Jermaine Jones,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/jermaine-jones-signs-with-la-galaxy/10lod0t95zvoz1n4fhw27em0b9 |title = Jermaine Jones Signs for LA Galaxy|publisher = Goal.com |access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref> and several weeks into the season, the Rapids made more changes to their roster by trading [[Sam Cronin]] and [[Marc Burch]] to new expansion side [[Minnesota United FC]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/31/sam-cronin-marc-burch-trade-rapids-minnesota/ |title = Rapids send captain Sam Cronin, Marc Burch to Minnesota|date = March 31, 2017|publisher = Denver Post |access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref> The team struggled, and head coach Pablo Mastroeni was fired by the end of the season<ref>{{cite web |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/08/15/rapids-part-ways-with-pablo-mastroeni| title=Rapids Fire Pablo Mastroeni | date=August 15, 2017 | publisher=CBS Denver|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> as the Rapids finished the 2017 season with 9 wins, 19 losses and 6 draws, good for 10th in the Western Conference.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/mls/2017 |title = Standings 2017|publisher = MLSSoccer.com|access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref>

For the 2018 season, the Rapids hired former New Zealand coach [[Anthony Hudson (football manager)|Anthony Hudson]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.goal.com/en/news/major-league-soccer-news-colorado-rapids-hire-new-zealand/dbc558o0zyok1dkk4nvh2uffd|title = Colorado Rapids hire New Zealand boss Hudson as coach|publisher = Goal.com|access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref> The Rapids made many additions, including wingback [[Edgar Castillo]] and midfielder [[Jack Price (footballer, born 1992)|Jack Price]] while switching to Hudson's preferred 3–5–2 formation.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/09/colorado-rapids-3-5-2-formation/|title = Recent Rapids signings signal radical change in team's method of attack|date = January 9, 2018|publisher = Denver Post|access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref> The season began with the Rapids being eliminated from the [[2018 CONCACAF Champions League]] by Toronto FC, a tournament they had qualified for on the strength of the 2016 campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/27/rapids-eliminated-champions-league-in-toronto/|title = Rapids eliminated from Champions League in scoreless match in Toronto|date = February 28, 2018|publisher = Denver Post|access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref> The middle of the 2018 saw another major trade with 2017's leading goalscorer [[Dominique Badji]] being traded to FC Dallas for [[Kellyn Acosta]].<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3571903/fc-dallas-trades-kellyn-acosta-to-colorado-for-dominique-badji|title = FC Dallas trades Kellyn Acosta to Colorado for Dominique Badji|date = July 23, 2018|publisher = Denver Post}}</ref> Despite the changes in the 2018 season, it ended with another 10th place Western Conference finish, with the Rapids accruing 8 wins, 19 losses and 7 draws.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/mls/2018 |title = Standings 2018|publisher = MLSSoccer.com|access-date = April 20, 2019 }}</ref>

For the 2019, the Rapids turned their attention to MLS veterans for additions to the roster adding [[Benny Feilhaber]], [[Kei Kamara]], [[Diego Rubio (footballer)|Diego Rubio]] and [[Keegan Rosenberry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2019/02/sbi-2019-mls-season-preview-colorado-rapids|title=SBI 2019 MLS Season Preview: Colorado Rapids|date=February 22, 2019|publisher= Soccer by Ives|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> The team also added youngsters [[Jonathan Lewis (soccer)|Jonathan Lewis]], [[Matt Hundley]], [[Sam Raben]] and [[Andre Shinyashiki]] to the squad. In the preseason, the Rapids parted ways with Sheklzen Gashi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/11/colorado-shkelzen-gashi/|title=Why the Colorado Rapids paid $1.7 million to cut Shkëlzen Gashi — and why he knew it was coming|date=March 11, 2019|publisher=Denver Post|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> Despite the changes to the team and scoring in every game but one, the Rapids began the 2019 season winless in their first 11 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv5.espn.com/football/report?gameId=533324 |title = Chicago Fire dominate second half to thrash Colorado Rapids|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> The Rapids parted ways with Hudson after going winless in the first nine games of the season. The club named [[Conor Casey]] as interim head coach on May 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/conor-casey-interim-boss-colorado-rapids-had-quite-playing-career|title=Conor Casey, interim boss of Colorado Rapids, had quite the playing career &#124; MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}</ref> Casey led the Rapids to a record of 7 wins, 7 losses and 4 draws. On August 25, the Rapids named Robin Fraser the club's ninth permanent head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids appoint Robin Fraser as head coach|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/08/25/colorado-rapids-appoint-robin-fraser-head-coach|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825182611/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/08/25/colorado-rapids-appoint-robin-fraser-head-coach |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> Fraser posted a 5–2–0 (W-L-D) record, falling just shy of the postseason.

The Rapids made several moves ahead of 2020, trading for [[Auston Trusty]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids acquire defender Auston Trusty from Philadelphia Union|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/20/colorado-rapids-acquire-defender-auston-trusty-philadelphia-union|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121074854/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/20/colorado-rapids-acquire-defender-auston-trusty-philadelphia-union |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> and permanently acquiring [[Lalas Abubakar]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids acquire defender Lalas Abubakar from Columbus|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/20/colorado-rapids-acquire-defender-lalas-abubakar-columbus|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121073725/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/20/colorado-rapids-acquire-defender-lalas-abubakar-columbus |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> The club also brought in [[Drew Moor]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids sign two-time MLS Cup champion Drew Moor|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/27/colorado-rapids-sign-two-time-mls-cup-champion-drew-moor|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207162022/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/11/27/colorado-rapids-sign-two-time-mls-cup-champion-drew-moor |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> a 2010 MLS Cup champion with Colorado, as well as goalkeeper [[William Yarbrough]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids sign two-time Liga MX champion goalkeeper William Yarbrough|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/03/06/colorado-rapids-sign-two-time-liga-mx-champion-goalkeeper-william-yarbrough|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522154106/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/03/06/colorado-rapids-sign-two-time-liga-mx-champion-goalkeeper-william-yarbrough |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> midfielder [[Nicolas Benezet]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids sign ex-Toronto FC winger Nicolas Benezet|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/14/colorado-rapids-sign-ex-toronto-fc-winger-nicolas-benezet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116004304/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/14/colorado-rapids-sign-ex-toronto-fc-winger-nicolas-benezet |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> and Designated Player [[Younes Namli]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Colorado Rapids acquire attacking midfielder Younes Namli as Designated Player|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/01/15/colorado-rapids-acquire-attacking-midfielder-younes-namli-designated-player-0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115170939/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/01/15/colorado-rapids-acquire-attacking-midfielder-younes-namli-designated-player-0 |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> The Rapids started 2020 with two wins before MLS paused its season in early March due to COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MLS extends season suspension in accordance with CDC guidance on COVID-19|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/03/19/mls-extends-season-suspension-accordance-cdc-guidance-covid-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319170131/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/03/19/mls-extends-season-suspension-accordance-cdc-guidance-covid-19 |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> Colorado was placed in Group D of the [[MLS is Back Tournament]] with [[Real Salt Lake]], [[Sporting Kansas City]] and [[Minnesota United FC]]. The MLS regular season restarted in August with Colorado taking three points from four games. On September 12, the Rapids defeated Real Salt Lake 5–0, marking Colorado's first ever win at [[Rio Tinto Stadium]] and beginning a run of three wins in four, including three shutouts. After several players and team staff tested positive for COVID-19, the Rapids paused their season, eventually cancelling five matches.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MLS postpones next three Colorado Rapids league matches|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/10/12/mls-postpones-next-three-colorado-rapids-league-matches|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013215403/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/10/12/mls-postpones-next-three-colorado-rapids-league-matches |archive-date=October 13, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> After a full month between games, the Rapids returned to action with losses at Sporting KC and Minnesota. MLS changed the [[MLS Cup Playoffs]] qualifying format to points-per-game on Oct. 31.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MLS to use points per game to determine final 2020 regular season standings|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/10/29/mls-use-points-game-determine-final-2020-regular-season-standings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031223006/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/10/29/mls-use-points-game-determine-final-2020-regular-season-standings |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> The Rapids then defeated defending MLS Cup champion [[Seattle Sounders FC]], 3–1, before clinching a playoff berth with a 1–0 win at [[Portland Timbers]] on Nov. 4.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MLS Match Center|url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-11-04-portland-timbers-vs-colorado-rapids/recap|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122032243/https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-11-04-portland-timbers-vs-colorado-rapids/recap |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> Colorado closed the regular season with a 2–1 win at [[Houston Dynamo FC|Houston Dynamo]] on Nov. 8. Colorado visited Minnesota in the first round of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, falling 3–0. The season featured break-out performances by Rapids Homegrown defender [[Sam Vines]] and Homegrown midfielder [[Cole Bassett]]. Vines played every minute of every regular season match, while Bassett led the team with five goals and five assists. Both were named to MLS 22 Under 22 for a second consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Homegrowns Cole Bassett, Sam Vines Leading the Way for Colorado|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/10/22/homegrowns-cole-bassett-sam-vines-leading-way-colorado|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024232304/https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/10/22/homegrowns-cole-bassett-sam-vines-leading-way-colorado |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref>