The Colorado Rapids’ 2017 season will begin in similar fashion to their 2016 campaign. Despite Tim Howard talk, Zac MacMath will draw the start in net.
At the start of the 2016 season, many were speculating that Howard would be returning to the MLS, signing with the Rapids. This season, people are anticipating his return from a groin injury.
Despite all of the chatter, MacMath played well for the Rapids last season. In 17 games, the 25-year-old only allowed 13 goals. By comparison, Howard allowed 19 in his 17 games.
Howard had surgery in November on his injured groin. At the time, he was expected to miss four months. Unfortunately, the 37-year-old’s recovery has stalled.
“He was having some pain last week,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni told the Denver Post. “The medical staff, we decided to allow that to heal. Had an MRI, everything looks like it’s intact, it’s good.
“With Tim, we’ll take it one day at a time.”
In a related roster move, the Rapids acquired goalkeeper Cody Mizell on loan from the USL’s Charlotte Independence on Friday. The 25-year-old had been training with the Rapids in the preseason.
The Rapids will kick off their season on Saturday at 4p.m. MT against the New England Revolution.
