2024 Colorado Rapids Press Corps Awards

COMMERCE CITY – Burgundy Wave in conjunction with the Colorado Rapids independent media are excited to present the seventh annual Independent Colorado Rapids Press Corps Awards. As the independent media covering this team, we take seriously the opportunity to cover the 2024 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.

Contributors to Burgundy Wave, The Denver Post, Mitch Carroll’s former employer (who we won’t name), Holding The High Line, Footy at 5280, Team NBS Media, Fuera Del Aire, Rapids Rant, and the Centennial 38 Podcast were invited to participate.

Player of the Year

The most outstanding player for the club in 2024.

Winner: Djordje Mihailović

Runner Up: Cole Bassett

The No. 10 broke the club transfer fee record in January. After a mixed start to the year that had fans questioning his body language, Djorde went on a tear. He broke the club’s single season goal contribution record with 11 goals and 14 assists, earning a spot on the USMNT Olympic team.

Bassett was a clear second on this list, though given his position, many on No One Good FC argued Bassett was the most important player on the team. Mihailović was still better.

Newcomer of the Year

The most outstanding player who was in their first year with the club ever. Nominees for Player of the Year are eligible.

Winner: Djordje Mihailović

Runner Up: Zack Steffen

Just like last year, the Player of the Year was also a Newcomer. Let’s give some props to Steffen. Played the entire year coming off his knee injury the previous year. There was a lot of noise and criticism, USMNT Twitter Bros, Post Shot Expected Goals and all. That run of form he had in the summer was a catalyst for Leagues Cup.

Young Player of the Year

The most outstanding player aged 23 or younger as of January 1, 2024, based on both first team and Rapids 2 performances.

Winner: Cole Bassett

Runner up: Oliver Larraz

Bassett had his best season as a professional in 2024. He came into the season expecting to be a pressing No. 10 next to Mihailović. Connor Ronan was injured in the third game of the year at RSL. Bassett was moved back to the double pivot, scoring the winner. He took off from there. He was one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the league. Not the best player on the Rapids but the most important. A quad injury in October hurt the team come playoffs. Should have been Best XI.

Larraz deserves praise for the year he had as well. A pleasant surprise. Should have been a more positive side to Lamine Diack not working out.

Underrated Player of the Year

The most undervalued/underappreciated player. 

Winner: Connor Ronan

Runner-up: Kévin Cabral

A year after winning Player of the Year, Connor Ronan was maybe an after thought in the Rapids midfield. The veteran who’s been forced to fill Jack Price’s shoes, he worked in the double pivot with Bassett and later Larraz. He wasn’t perfect. But this team at times desperately needed a proper No. 6 and he did that the best.

Cabral was a deserving second place. Nine goal contributions. Put his body on the line against LA Galaxy, sustaining an elbow injury. He finally found a role that worked for him and fans got behind him. Take away the DP tag and there’s no complaints here. And all of this in the background of family tragedy.

Rapids 2 Player of the Year

The most outstanding Rapids 2 player. Based on R2 appearances only. Players must have made at least 12 appearances for R2, all competitions. Players on a Rapids first team contract are eligible.

Winner: Marlon Vargas

Honorable Mention: Yosuke Hanya

Vargas captained R2 this season. At 23-years-old, he was an elder statesman on a young and green Rapids 2 team. The team took a step back but he didn’t. Vargas even earned a loan to New Mexico United in the USL Championship in September. Made six apperances and scored a goal.

Hanya wasn’t eligible for this award due to his loan to Switchbacks. He became a starter for them. Had the assist on the first goal in the final. Won a championship. He’ll be back in the Springs next year.

Best Game of the Year

The most impressive result/performance, all competitions.

Winner: August 17, 0-0 (8-9) win at Club America, Leagues Cup Quarterfinal

Runner-up: July 20, 2-1 win vs RSL, MLS Regular Season

That game against Club America might be the biggest scalp in Rapids history. A stout defense frustrated the biggest team on the continent. Zack Steffen making a bunch of saves in the 120 minutes then winning it in penalties. That to cap off four straight results against Mexican teams, a first MLS. Soccer Twitter lost its collective mind as Mihailović dropped an F bomb live on Apple. Oh, that Mexican media and fan copium.

The third and decisive leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup came in second. It wasn’t a pretty performance given it was a close derby with a weather delay. Like the America game, this was more about the meaning of the result than the aesthetics.

Worst Game of the Year

The least impressive/most disappointing result/performance, all competitions.

Winner: October 26, 5-0 loss at LA Galaxy, MLS Cup Playoffs

And moving on.

Goal of the Year

The most significant/memorable goal of the season, including PKs. 

The ballots did not have a consensus on this one. No goal got multiple first place votes. So here’s some of our favorites.

Rafael Navarro’s stoppage time equalizer against Leon AND that banger against NYCFC

All one, two, three of Cole Bassett’s goals in the Rocky Mountain Cup

Both goals by Mihalović in that win over LAFC

This counter attack against St. Louis and that other goal Djordje scored against them

That Larraz volley in Leagues Cup

Play of the Year

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.

Winner: This counter attack against St. Louis, which led to a goal

Penalty of the Year

The most outstanding and/or significant penalty goal scored, all competitions. They led the MLS regular season with 10 PK goals. PKs taken in a shootout are eligible.

Winner: Cole Bassett to win the Rocky Mountain Cup

Runner Up: Steffen vs Club America

Stat of the Year

The most outstanding and/or surprising single stat of the year. Colorado Rapids set numerous records as a team and several individuals set club records. Individual player and team stats are eligible. Ex: Colorado is the first MLS team to beat LMX teams in four straight competitive games.

Winner: Djordje Mihailović setting the new club single-season record for goal contributions with 25.

Runner up: Colorado becoming the first MLS team to win four straight competitive games against Liga MX opponents.

Story of the Year

The most significant/memorable narrative/talking point around the club. 

Winner: Chris Armas being doubted by pretty much everyone upon being hired, righting the culture within months, implementing a game model with the fourth youngest team in MLS, getting a home playoff game, making a run in Leagues Cup, and being a finalist for Coach of the Year.

Quote of the Year

The quote that stands out the most from any Rapids player, coach, or front office member. bur

Winner: “Up the *redacted* Pids!” – Djordje Mihailović after the Leagues Cup win against Club America, August 17.

Runner-up: “Be better, not bitter.” – Cole Bassett after a 4-1 win against St. Louis days after getting snubbed for the Olympics team, July 7.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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