Coming off a 4–1 win last weekend against Sporting Kansas City, the Colorado Rapids (2–2–0) are off this week before returning to the pitch next weekend to face Toronto FC on Saturday, April 4. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. at BMO Field in Toronto.
Last week, the Rapids’ offense showed up, totaling four goals from three different players. Paxten Aaronson drove in two, while Wayne Frederick added his first MLS career goal and Rafael Navarro also found the net. Navarro’s goal tied him for the sixth-most goals in club history with 31, matching Rapids legends Cole Bassett and Chris Henderson.
“When you get goal contributions, it just gives you the confidence to keep going,” Aaronson said. “It is also an example. We want to show the rest of the team that they can believe and have confidence and lock it down.”
Looking ahead, the Rapids roster is set to see significant changes. This week, the club announced three impactful additions, including defenders Loïc Williams and Kosi Thompson, as well as the acquisition of winger Georgi Minoungou.
Williams, who the organization announced was signed on Wednesday, will come to Colorado from Granada CF on contract through the 2029–30 season, with a club option for 2030–31. The 24-year-old defender will join the team in the summer pending visa and transfer clearance.
Williams brings experience from Spain’s second division, where he made 62 appearances for Granada, recording one goal and one assist. Known for his composure, speed, and left-footed ability, he is expected to strengthen the Rapids’ defense positions.
“We wanted to improve depth in the squad and competition in the squad,” head coach Matt Wells said. “Loïc’s someone we have been chasing for a long time. Ever since I signed the contact, it was my first conversation with him. He’s a fantastic long-term option for us.”
The Rapids also acquired 23-year-olds Thompson and Minoungou later this week.
Thompson will join the club from Toronto FC in exchange for $200,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM), with up to $200,000 more tied to performance incentives. He is under contract through the 2026 season and brings valuable MLS experience, having made 113 appearances across all competitions with two goals and one assist. His versatility is expected to add depth across the defensive unit.
The club also announced the signing of forward Minoungou, who joins from the Seattle Sounders, the Rapids’ opening opponent of the regular season.
Colorado acquired the winger for $2,000,000 in GAM, split evenly between the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The deal was completed before the close of the MLS Primary Transfer Window, and Seattle may retain a sell-on percentage.
Minoungou arrives after two seasons in Seattle, where he made 34 appearances across all competitions, recording three goals and seven assists. Known for his pace and ability to take on defenders, he adds another dynamic option to Colorado’s attack.
The additional signings come directly following the international call-ups of several Rapids players, including members of previous starting lineups.
Among them, Lucas Herrington, who joined head coach Tony Popovic in Sydney on Sunday. Herrington, called up to the Australian Men’s National Team, was photographed with the Socceroos earlier this morning in a post captioned, “Lucas looking right at home.”
Herrington is the second-youngest Socceroos debutant at 18 years and 265 days old. He made his debut in the team’s 1–0 loss to Cameroon this morning, marking him as Socceroos cap No. 658. He will be returning to Colorado on Thursday, April 2.
Additional call ups for the Rapids First Team include United States Youth National Team members, Darren Yapi and Bryce Jamison, who will be representing the U-21 team for training camp and friendlies in South Korea. Bryce Jamison will compete with the U-20 group in Argentina,
Colorado Rapids 2 goalkeeper Zack Campagnolo, defender Jabari De Coteau and forward Donavan Phillip have both earned international call-ups from March 23–31 as well.
Campagnolo joins the U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team for a training camp in Europe, while De Coteau has been selected to Grenada’s senior national team for international friendlies in Rwanda. Phillips will compete in matches against Azerbaijan on March 27 and either Oman or Sierra Leone on March 30.
Other club news includes The Colorado Rapids Academy setting its sights to compete in the Generation Adidas Cup from March 27 to April 4 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, one of the most premier youth soccer tournaments in the world.
This year’s competition will feature 88 teams from 14 countries across four continents, including an expanded Girls Division with eight teams. Sending both their U-15 and U-16 squads, the Rapids will be giving top academy players the chance to compete against numerous competitive youth clubs in both the region and internationally.
During group play, the Rapids will face academy clubs including LAFC, Mile Gully FC, Charlotte FC, D.C. United, FC Copenhagen, and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Each team will play three matches to determine seeding and qualification for the knockout rounds. Directly following, 16 teams will advance to the winner’s bracket to compete in a single-elimination match to determine champions per age group. Regardless of results, all teams are guaranteed to play six 60-minute matches, ensuring valuable development and exposure for the young players in hopes of scouting opportunities.
With key players away on international duty and recent club developments, Wells and the Rapids First Team will continue to build depth as they remain on the road. The team used the bye week in hopes to prepare, aiming to secure another win away from home before returning to Commerce City.
“We will have five training days, including today, that are solely based around us and our game model.” Wells said. “It is about us putting our identity onto the pitch.”
