Football Season Review

After an utterly disastrous 2015 campaign, which saw the Colorado Rapids finish bottom of the Western Conference table, 2016 would prove to be a fantastic year, in which they finished in second place in the West and second place overall. The Rapids’ home form was perhaps the key behind their success, with Pablo Mastroeni’s side going the entire season unbeaten in the league at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, conceding just 8 goals in front of their own fans. But it wasn’t just at home where Colorado impressed. After conceding just 32 goals throughout the entire year, the side from Commerce City would have by far the best defensive record in the league, with Axel Sjoberg, Bobby Burling and others proving to be a phenomenal force at the back. While the Rapids may have not conceded many, they also didn’t score a lot, putting away the second lowest total of goals in the league at 39. But while a Colorado goal was not that common, the few ones that they did score would often be enough to win games, with Pablo Mastroeni’s men becoming experts in grinding out tough victories. The two big signings of both Jermaine Jones and Tim Howard as designated players did wonders for Colorado, with both men impressive throughout the season. Jones’ early year 6 game suspension however, and a later injury issue, would cost him valuable playing time, with the Rapids clearly frustrated by his absence. Shkelzen Gashi would have a fine season for his side, going on to score a total of 9 goals, including some vitally important ones towards the end of the season. Marlon Hairston would also introduce himself to the league as yet another exciting young prospect, with the direct wide man collecting a total of 6 assists this year. A poor performance in the Western Conference final would ultimately see the Rapids exit the playoffs this season in a 3-1 aggregate defeat to the Seattle Sounders. With Jermaine Jones having now left the club, they will need to find a new designated player to replace him. They have however penned Pablo Mastroeni down to a new contract, and will therefore hope to replicate this season’s performance in 2017.

Player of the Season: Axel Sjoberg