EDITORIAL – This morning, Burgundy Wave spoke to Jack Price. The midfielder is officially leaving Colorado Rapids after six years. He was captain from 2020 on. He leaves as another top holding midfielder in club history. Injuries the last two years limited his availability. His departure from Commerce City is an emotional one for many as the Rapids enter a new era.
His Side of Story on His Departure:
Price tweeted the day after the season ended that he would not be returning for 2024. There was an option for one more year on his contract, which the club declined. Club President Pádraig Smith described it as “there was an element with Price where he wanted to go back home. He’s about to have his second child and I think we’ll see what happens with him with which club he goes to (in the U.K.).”
The quote seems to imply Price initiated the departure. Smith’s comments made its way to social media. Price and Diego Rubio reacted to it.
“I was offered a contract another year to stay on. I ultimately turned it down. I felt the offer was quite disrespectful. I felt like it was a little bit of a kick in the balls to be honest,” Price told Burgundy Wave.
“We met in the summer. (Smith) told me about the offer. I told him straight up I wouldn’t be signing for that.”
The MLSPA has Price’s 2023 guaranteed compensation at $825,000. His 2024 option was probably at a similar number. He knew that was probably not getting picked up given his injuries. He tore his Achilles tendon back in March and was carried off the field by trainers. That ended up being his last appearance in Burgundy. He missed the rest of the season. In 2022, a cracked rib and calf injury limited him to 17 appearances in league play.
“We circled back a few times. (My agent and I) hadn’t heard anything for awhile. It wasn’t until the last couple weeks before the season finished where we spoke again, me and Pádraig. They couldn’t offer too much more (money). I already probably made my mind up because I was just frustrated that it took so long for them to come back to me.”
Price believes he could get the wages Colorado offered back home in England. The facepalm emoji comment came from the frustration that Smith seemed to imply Price really wanted to leave. He really wanted to stay. He felt the club’s actions (lower wages, slow communication) contradicted their words.
“I was told they really wanted me to stay. It didn’t come across that way. Maybe me being a little stubborn, I took it the wrong way.”
Burgundy Wave has heard from sources but been unable to confirm that the contract was one-year for $400,000. There were additional team performance incentives as well.
The club is concerned about his injury history. He will turn 31-years-old this month. They offered what they felt was appropriate for his potential future contributions. The player thinks he can make a comeback and be healthy. Both sides were based in their thinking. Price leaving is a painful outcome, but the right one given the circumstances.
There’s no bad blood though. Smith and the club did so much for him and his family. There’s mutual respect. That extends to respectfully disagreeing during negotiations and going their own ways in peace. Both sides have told Burgundy Wave they would be open to renegotiation if things don’t work out long term back home for Price.
Thoughts on 2023:
2023 was the worst season in club history by many metrics. Club record 0.79 points per game in league play. At one point, they won one game in 18 all-comps. This led to head coach Robin Fraser getting fired and eventually a supporters walkout. Frustrations with ownership are at an all-time high.
“As the captain, I fully understand where they’re coming from. It’s a shame it has to come to that. As a fan, you shouldn’t have a doubt about renewing your season tickets or walking out of a game to get a point across. They felt like they weren’t being herd. Fully understood as a playing and coaching staff. We fully supported that,” Price said of the supporters.
He feels partially responsible for this year given his injury. He could have helped lead a troubled midfield, play alongside Connor Ronan and save Fraser’s job. He felt loyalty to Robin given he named him captain. After the firing in September, he called Fraser to console and apologize.
“I almost felt guilty. I hadn’t been on the field to help. I said to him, ‘I’m sorry for what’s come to.’ He understood when he spoke. He said ‘it is a results business. We’re not winning games.’ He sort of expected it. It’s still never nice, especially with the relationship we had. I was very close to him. On a social level, he was fantastic. It was a big loss, I think, for the changing room,” Price said of Fraser.
Price’s extended that sentiment to the entire club given the season went.
In May, Max Alves was found to be under investigation for a possible involvement with a sports gambling ring based in his native Brazil. That investigation is ongoing. Max is under contract with Colorado as of today. There is no timeline for the legal process back home or the MLS investigation to resolve this matter. Jail time and a lifetime ban from FIFA are on the table.
Price has been one of the first teammates to speak at length on this:
“I didn’t have any anger or hate. I was more gutted for the lad. He was playing really well at that time. I felt sorry that he had to be in that situation or felt that he needed to be in that situation. I got on well with Max even though he spoke no English. He was turning a corner. He was a big piece missing last year.
“I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know if he’s back next year. I hope he is. He’s a really good kid. Unfortunate that he’s put himself into a bit of a mess. Hopefully he can apologize and they can work through that if that’s even possible.
“He felt like he had to do that with the situation with his family back home. Maybe he felt like he needed to do that to support them. I hope he gets given a second change.”
Also, now that the club needs to pick a new captain, he thinks Andreas Maxsø or Keegan Rosenberry would do a great job.
Appreciating the Fans and His Mum’s Social Media:
Price was a beloved fan favorite. That cannot be understated.
“I honestly don’t think in six years a single fan has said a bad word to me, which is rare. Everyone was so welcoming from the first day I got there. Fantastic set of fans. To come out in some of the games they’ve come out with that weather, it’s just insane”
“Standing in that corridor waiting to walk out in front of the fans, leading the boys out and walking down those steps, that’s a feeling that I’ve missed so much this season.
“My family felt loved too. I want to thank the Colorado fans for everything they’ve done for me. They’ve never put me down. I don’t think I’m ever going to get that in football again, in terms of how much love and support they’ve shown.”
Jack’s mother Debbie has become a legend on Rapids Twitter. She interacts with fans. She posts mushy loving stuff about her son. The fanbase encouraged and championed it.
“Sometimes I see it and I’m like ‘no. Not mum. Stop.’ I get embarrassed but at the same time I know it’s all love. She’s just proud of me. Proud of her son. I understand that now having a boy. I didn’t see her being a Twitter Legend.”
Debbie and Jack Price will both be missed. She will forever be the mom of the Rapids. Debbie, if you ever make it back to Denver, your first beer is on me.
Price made so many genuine friends around the club and elsewhere in Denver. He’s hoping to come back in the summer regardless of what happens in the spring to see everyone. These six years saw him make friends for life, people who will be invited to his wedding.
What’s Next for Him?
Shropshire Pirlo is settled back home in Shrewsbury. He’s still rehabbing, possibly following the return to play protocol Colorado had for him. It’s been almost six months since the injury. The goal is to be recovered by January.
“I’m using the Shrewsbury Town’s (Head of Medical Performance) Chris Skitt. I’ve been going in. Working with him. He’s an unbelievable physio, so I’m in good hands.”
He’s hoping to find a team in the Championship or the upper part of League One. He said on In the Stiffs that he wants to finish his career at Town (who are currently midtable in League One).
“Probably just stay local. That would be best for me and my family right now. Probably just be a short term contract, six months or so. That’ll be nice for me and probably one of the clubs I’m talking to. Just to get playing some games and seeing where I’m at. I’m hoping play a few games then assess my options again. I’ve never shut the door on coming back to Colorado or MLS,” Price said.
Price is hoping to play till he’s 35 or 36. That’s four years away. If he can recover from the Achilles injury, he absolutely can be coming off the bench to stuff Paul Mullin on a rainy Tuesday night at the New Meadow come 2027.
His Legacy as a Rapids No. 6 and Captain:
To put it simply, Jack Price is one of the best holding midfielders in club history. That is a high bar given the emphasis on that position in Commerce City. His start to the club wasn’t great given how bad 2018 went and he had nine yellow cards through 16 MLS appearances.
He adjusted, worked hard, and was patient. His physical nature coming from the EFL Championship pivoted into controlled aggression in MLS. He was solid in possession. His service on corners turned the Rapids into the Set Piece Kings of MLS.
Second in club history in assists (35), second in yellow cards (36), first in corners taken (436), first in game-winning assists (11). Those are Rapids regista accomplishments.
In 2020, he was named captain. He went on to lead the Rapids through a magical 2021 season that saw them finish top of the Western Conference and host a playoff game on Thanksgiving. With Price, the Rapids were comfortably a playoff team. Without him, they were not close.
He never thought he would be a captain. Other than a few times in the academy at Wolves, he had not worn the armband before 2020. He embraced the responsibilities. As time went on, he thrived.
“The proudest moment of my life is being made captain of Colorado Rapids. To not wear that armband next season is going to be tough.”
He worked to fix problems in midfield, growing into a leader of men in the process. He became a savvy communicator with teammates, fans, and media. All while having the only accent at the club people and transcription software had trouble with. He became a lovable meme and a hell of a player.
“I was never great at speaking to media. I was quite shy even talking in front of the lads. I never thought that six years ago I would be a captain. All of a sudden, you’re given the armband. You’re in the huddle, and (your teammates) are up for it just because of what you’re saying. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
His arrival oversaw a rebuild that led to the second greatest season in club history. He did this as the first captain after Hall of Fame goalkeeper Tim Howard. His injuries contributed to the downfall of the last two years that now has them rebuilding again without him.
“I loved (Tim). He was almost like me dad, the way he looked after me. I never thought I’d be in Colorado for six years. I never thought I would be writing those words.”
“I hadn’t achieved everything I wanted to in terms of winning trophies with Colorado and winning MLS Cup. I’ve got a lot of unfinished business because of that.
“Six years, but it feels like six months to be honest. It was that much fun.”
He’s not sure he should be considered for the club’s Gallery of Honor given the number of games he played. The only players from the 2021 team that could make the Gallery of Honor besides him are Cole Bassett and Keegan Rosenberry, both who are still with the team. Setting the bar for the GOH at or above Pricey speaks to the quality of the inductees.
Regardless, Jack Price will always be a Rapids legend and fan favorite. He was the backbone of the midfield. One of the best defensive midfielders and dead ball specialists of his time and in club history. Monner Roy Kent.
We’ll always have 2021, Jack.
Photo Credit: John Babiak
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John Babiak