COMMERCE CITY – Matt Pollard in conjunction with the Colorado Rapids independent media are excited to present the sixth annual Independent Colorado Rapids Press Corps Awards. As the independent media covering this team, we take seriously the opportunity to cover the 2023 Colorado Rapids season and objectively cover the club. This article is a reflection of that. Think of this as a constructive and independent version of the awards at A Burgundy Affair. Previously, the awards were published at Last Word on Sports.
With his assist on Colorado’s opening goal tonight, Connor Ronan joined Jack Price (2019 and 2021) as the only @ColoradoRapids players since 2010 to produce at least 10 assists in a single season. pic.twitter.com/bQsAtlwvDP
The most outstanding player who was in their first year with the club ever. Nominees for Player of the Year are eligible.
Winner: Connor Ronan
IMO: Colorado Rapids' midfielder Connor Ronan got snubbed for not being nominated for Newcomer of the Year award. Aside from Edward Löwren from St. Louis, Ronan has the most assists from a newcomer this season w/10 in 2,500 minutes. Has an 87% passing success rate & 30 starts.
The most outstanding player on a first team contract who made at least 12 appearances for R2, all competitions. Based on MLS NEXT Pro regular season, shootout, and Invitational performances.
The most outstanding Rapids 2 player who was on a professional and amateur MLS NEXT Pro contract. Based on MLS NEXT Pro regular season, shootout, and Invitational performances. Players must have made at least 12 appearances for R2, all competitions.
The player whose injury/absence most affected the first team, based on the player’s significance to the team, severity of the injury, and duration of absence.
Winner: Jack Price
Runner-up: Max Alves da Silva
“Rubio’s goals were missed, but you can’t replace Jack Price. Not with a loaned player from Seattle, not with a loan-to-buy deal, not with a young prospect you got in a trade for your other ‘readymade’ center midfielder. Colorado had one player who looked like a threat deep in the midfield this year; if Price had been healthy it would’ve solved a lot of issues the Rapids had in terms of dictating how games played out.” – Pat Radigan, Footy at 5280
Best Game of the Year
The most impressive result/performance, all competitions.
Winner: July 8 2-1 win over FC Dallas
Runner-up: September 16 2-1 win over New England Revolution
Worst Game of the Year
The least impressive/most disappointing result/performance, all competitions.
Winner: August 23 4-0 loss at LAFC
Runner-up: February 26 4-0 loss at Seattle
We’ll once again be sparing readers by not including highlights of ANY of the worst games of the year.
Delay of the Year
The most hilarious, disappointing, and/or ridiculous delayed match of the year. Any game that had a delayed kickoff is eligible, even if it was not postponed to a later date.
Winner: 4th of July vs. Portland Timbers
Runner-up: June 21 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
In the words of Portland Timbers (and former Rapid) defender Eric Miller, that was the weirdest second half ever. The 4th of July game was delayed almost two hours. A halftime delay stretched on for two hours, with the match officially postponed at 11:42.
The game was rescheduled for eight days later. An Open Cup level crowd was there for an early kickoff of 45 minutes that was so strange, Robin Fraser and Gio Savarese thought it was a waste of time.
Colorado had six games delayed due to weather, three of which needed to be postponed to a later date. Mother Nature does not like the 2023 Colorado Rapids.
"I think the game was a reflection of the oddity of the event."
The most significant/memorable play of the year that was not a goal. Assists are eligible including assists to goals that are nominated for Goal of the Year.
"I'm just happy about the clean sheet. It doesn't matter. [The ball] hits me in the face, I have a huge head, so it's hard to miss it. Just happy to make the save. Whatever it takes."
If more of us were covering R2 regularly, we would have had more R2 awards. In loo of that, here’s Brendan Ploen protest-vote for this pass by Oli Larraz.
The most unique/unbelievable but true stat of the year. Stats can be player or team specific, a streak, season, or single game stat, and can be compared to the club’s or league’s history.
Winner: 0.82 PPG, the worst in club history
Runner-up: One win in 15 league matches between May and September, worst run since 2014.
There are many ways to quantify how bad this season was. We came up with a bunch throughout the season, but these two sum it up.
Story of the Year
The most significant/memorable narrative/talking point around the club.
Winner: Max Alves investigation for sports gambling
Runner-up: The C38 boycott.
“It’s not often the Colorado Rapids get global news coverage. But the Max story was an entirely different beast. I’ve never reported on a story with so much scope and breadth as this one, as so many Brazilian players were implicated. It moved at breakneck speed and it got picked up EVERYWHERE. What happens next? That’ll make headlines, too.” – Brendan Ploen, The Denver Post
Max Alves, Colorado Rapids winger, is under investigation by the Brazilian Public Ministry for allegedly received R$60.000 to be booked with a yellow card in the match between his club and the LA Galaxy last season, a fact that actually happened.
The quote that stands out the most from any Rapids player, coach, or front office member. bur
Winner: “Do I believe in the plan, do I believe in the pathway at the macro level? Absolutely.” – Padraig Smith, August 14.
Runner-up: “The badge, the players, and the fans deserve better.” – Centennial 38 Letter, September 14, 2023.
During his second big press conference, Smith clarified the club was in a good state outside of the first team, and that is what he meant by saying they were on the right path in the macro.
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.
Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. If you want to support us, join our Patreon starting at $5/month. Also, we’re always looking for new talent to contribute to the site, develop, and give opportunities to. If you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer in any way, let us know.
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John Babiak