Colorado had a full preseason match and two short scrimmages to finish out their California trip before heading home this morning. Friday night was the full match against San Jose, supposedly streamed online but the Earthquakes tech department failed. If only the Quakes represented the center of high tech innovation int his country or something.

Colorado faced Chivas USA in a scrimmage at the HDC today. A late Qunicy Amarikwa goal from a Steven Emory assist gave the burgundy boys a 1-0 win. Of course its preseason so its meaningless but wins are always better than losses. The starting XI (trialists makred with a *):
Angulo* - Cummings - MullanLarentowicz - Castrillon - MastroeniZapata* - Marshall - Wynne - KimuraPickens
After subs the team finished with the the following lineup:
Cascio - Amarikwa - AkpanThompson - LaBauex - EmoryFreeman - Palguta - Guido* - AbabioJoyce
Guido is a local player playing with the team while they're in California.

Colorado announced that they've re-signed Steven Emory to a new contract today. They also announced that Miguel Comminges, Danny Earls, and Michael Holody will not be returning to the team this season. This gives the Rapids 27 players under contract and the rights to 3 players from the recent drafts.

Colorado announced that they've re-signed Steven Emory to a new contract today. They also announced that Miguel Comminges, Danny Earls, and Michael Holody will not be returning to the team this season. This gives the Rapids 27 players under contract and the rights to 3 players from the recent drafts.

The Denver Post is reporting that the Rapids have re-signed Brian Mullan to a multi-year deal. No details on amount or length, but I'm sure those will leak in the coming days. The article also mentions that they're working on a new contract for Steven Emory, and that they would like to re-sign Danny Earls and Miguel Comminges, but they're waiting on a new coach before making the final decision on those two.

Sorry I went AWOL on everyone (which I'm guessing is about 5 readers at this point in the offseason ;)) for a few days, stomach flu sucks. A couple of interesting news items came out this week.

• Colorado declined the options on Miguel Comminges, Danny Earls, Steven Emory, and Michael Holody.

Holody's 3 years of service means he's eligible to be selected by other MLS teams in next week's re-entry drafts.

Sorry I went AWOL on everyone (which I'm guessing is about 5 readers at this point in the offseason ;)) for a few days, stomach flu sucks. A couple of interesting news items came out this week.

• Colorado declined the options on Miguel Comminges, Danny Earls, Steven Emory, and Michael Holody.

Holody's 3 years of service means he's eligible to be selected by other MLS teams in next week's re-entry drafts.

Last night Colorado's U.S. Open Cup campaigned started and ended. The Fire beat the Rapids 2-1. Chicago used most of their first team while not a single regular starting XI member of the Rapids even traveled to Illinois. Despite that the Fire still needed a 40+ yard bomb from Anibaba to beat our reserves.

The Rapids just tweeted that first-round pick defender Eddie Ababio has been released. He was offered a contract at the same time as Steven Emory and Michael Holody. Given that I'm guessing that Ababio thought he was worth more than the Rapids were offering and declined to sign the contract, and the Rapids declined to increase their offer.

Two big pieces of news today. first the Rapids officially announced that they'll be back on altitude in HD this year for 27 games. That appears to be every non-FSC or ESPN game, and the two ESPN games will be rebroadcast on Altitude. When the games overlap a Nuggets or Avalanche game the game will be on Altitude 2.

The Rapids posted an article by Nick Thomas today that gives some insight into the last few roster spots. Assuming that Emory, Ababio, and Holody accept their contract offers that leaves 4 roster spots. Smith says that 2 of them are senior spots and 1 of them is a developmental spot. The team is still hoping for Folan to fill one of the senior spots, and the second is believed to be for a English defender playing in Greece.

The Rapids have given an update on the status of the 8 trialists that traveled with the team to Arizona. First-round draft pick Eddie Ababio, Metro State trialist Steven Emory, and former Rapids player Michael Holody have all been offered contracts. The team has also started negotiations with Irish international Caleb Folan.

The Rapids have finished their games in Arizona. Over the last 5 days they have faced Kansas City, Columbus, and La, finishing with 2 wins and a draw.
Game 1 - Sporting Kansas CityStarting 11: Pickens, Kimura, Wynne, Moor, Wallace, Nyassi, Larentowicz, Nane, Thompson, Folan, Cummings
29 of the 30 players on the trip played in the 120 minute session, only Mastroeni got the game off.

The Rapids left yesterday for preseason training in my old home of the Phoenix metro area. They released the roster for the trip today which includes all 23 players under contract except for Mac Kandji who's remaining in Denver to continue rehabbing from his ACL injury he suffered forcing the MLS Cup wining goal.

Some news today out of Rapids camp about a number of trialists. The big news is that Irish striker Caleb Folan will be trialling with the team on the Arizona trip. Folan is currently with Championship side Hull City, but with their current financial difficulties they are looking to off-load salary and would be willing to let Folan out of his contract.

The team reported to Commerce City yesterday for the official start of pre-season. The first few days are physicals and fitness tests, including concussion tests. They'll hit the fields for the first time on Thursday.
The Rapids open camp with a 23 man roster and 4 draft picks. Rosters this year are 30 players, but there are restrictions on the salaries and availability of spots 21-30.