After a disappointing 2015 season, the Colorado Rapids have retooled their roster and will be looking for their first playoff appearance since 2013.
Rapids color analyst Marcelo Balboa joined Gil Whiteley on Mile High Sports AM 1340 on Tuesday to discuss the Rapids offseason acquisitions and the impact they may have this season.
“Any time you start the season, you’re optimistic,” said Balboa. “They got rid of a lot of older bodies. They’re basically revamping the team.”
The Rapids are hoping the younger squad will bring energy and excitement to the pitch, while improving upon the 9-10-15 record which had the Rapids sitting in last place in the Western Conference and last in the league in scoring.
“They didn’t have too much personality [last year],” added Balboa. “That’s why you bring in a guy like [Marco] Pappa, playing the number 10 from Seattle. Another guy like that would be [Shkëlzen] Gashi.”
Pappa found his form over the course of two seasons with the Seattle Sounders. The Guatemalan international played in 39 games for the Sounders and tallied nine goals with 11 assists over the course of two seasons. He is expected to bring creativity and flair to Colorado’s midfield.
Shkëlzen Gashi may have the biggest goal-scoring impact of the new arrivals. The Albanian international arrived this summer after spending two seasons with Swiss club FC Basel. Gashi flourished in his time at Basel, netting 24 goals in 36 Swiss Super League matches. Gashi will no doubt be relied upon to provide a finishing touch in the final third of the pitch alongside fellow designate player Kevin Doyle.
This season could prove to be a make-or-break year for manager Pablo Mastroeni, who is yet to bring the Rapids a postseason appearance.
“I don’t know if you can commit to Mastroeni for the long term,” said Balboa. “They haven’t made the playoffs in the two years he’s coached here. After the first 10 games of the season we will be able to make a better evaluation of him.”
While Balboa feels this edition of the Rapids could be capable of making waves in the MLS, he was reserved in his predictions for the Rapids as a postseason team.
“We’ve only seen a few exhibition games,” Balbao commented. “Like any team, if you get on the right roll, you can certainly make the playoffs.”
The Rapids will travel to San Jose on March 6 to kick off their MLS campaign, before returning to Commerce City March 12 for the Home Opener against the LA Galaxy.
Listen to the full discussion with Whiteley and Marcelo Balboa below.
Catch Gil Whiteley every weekday from 11a-1p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.
