Meet Ted Ku-DiPietro, Colorado Rapids Newest Winger

COMMERCE CITY – Saturday night, Ted Ku-DiPietro made his 2025 debut for the Colorado Rapids. This came after offseason shoulder surgery and a February cash transfer from his hometown D.C. United for $1.125 million. Colorado’s most significant attacking addition and newest winger is here. Let’s get to know him better.

First, he goes by Ted, Ku, or Ku-D. Only his mom calls him Theodore and that’s usually when he’s in trouble. Similar to Oli Larraz. Though some fans on the internet have called him Ted KDP. His parents are Chinese and Polish/German, making for a fun double last name.

He’s back on the pitch after a long rehab for shoulder surgery. Having joined the team in Florida, he missed much of the altitude training during the preseason trip to Mexico.

“I felt like an away player tonight. It was so much fun to be back out there even though I was dead after,” Ku-DiPietro told Burgundy Wave postgame.

“The first two weeks (in Colorado) killed me. The fitness will come. Slowly but surely. Just trying to get out there and get as many minutes as I can.”

Head Coach Chris Armas added his thoughts on the player: “He brought energy into the game. Another energetic guy. What you can expect from Ku is a very vertical, dynamic player. An attacker that likes the run with the ball at his feet. He’s a guy who makes things happen. Even in a short time in training, he makes things happen. He’s fearless, aggressive, and powerful. It was good that he got some minutes tonight.”

What’s Next? Minutes, Goals, and Competition.

He’s back in full training now. Rehab had him likely game ready in early April, so he was on schedule. He should be able to build fitness over the week and be close to 90 minutes in a few weeks despite only getting six minutes last night.

The 23-year-old admits his favorite thing to do is score goals and can’t wait to get his first one in Burgundy. His advanced stats show he’s a directly goal dangerous winger. Comparatively, Omir Fernandez prefers to pass (usually to Rafael Navarro). Calvin Harris is balanced. Armas and the coaching staff have options at winger, even without Kévin Cabral.

“My favorite thing to do is get in the pocket and drive. Or in transition moments, get in the open space and go at people in the center of the park. I can play out wide,” said Ku-DiPietro.

Finding a Role and Adapting to Changing Tactics:

We’ll see where Armas deploys him. Could he be in the three-man midfield that Josh Atencio, Cole Bassett, and Larraz have been in? Does he backup Djordje Mihailović while he builds fitness? I liked the idea of him coming in at right wing in the context of the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Armas has mixed up the formation in recent weeks. Ted KDP has had a learning curve.

“It’s a little confusing. You have to adjust to it on the fly,” he said. He also spoke on how Colorado’s different and a better fit compared to D.C. United.

“It’s pretty similar in terms of the pressing. But on the ball, it (Colorado’s style vs. D.C.) fits my style more. Being very vertical and getting in the pocket. I love it. I love driving at people. Going 1-v-1 and scoring.”

Troy Lesesne wanted his wingers to stick out wide and provide service to Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke. At Colorado, he gets to be more direct if he wants to be. And he wants to be.

As D.C. fans will tell you, he’s a dog. Super competitive. He hates losing the ball or basic training drills, even 5-v-2 rondo. Similar to Mihailović, he’s soft-spoken off the field. Expect to see his character come alive and be fiery on the pitch. Rapids fans are going to love his mentality.

“I’m kind of shy when I get to a new team. I don’t like to talk at all even though I’m a talkative person after people get to know me. But then a lot of guys were getting injured. They would mix in with me and I would get to know guys 1-v-1. It was awesome to do that.”

Getting Settled After a Surprising Move:

This is the first time Ku has lived outside the D.C. area. He signed a contract extension and became a U22 player last September. He wanted to stay with United and work to becoming a starter this year. The trade and its timing caught him by surprise.

“Extremely. I didn’t request it or anything. It was a big surprise. I got 1-2 days notice. But now I’m loving it. This is my first time out of moving of of Virginia/D.C. It’s a tough transition but I think this is the best thing that happened to me.

“The guys right now don’t really know me. My personality comes out more on the pitch. That’s where I can show it more.”

He and the partner are moving into a house. He’s already made friends in training. Fellow D.C. kid Wayne Frederick has a mutual friend in Kristian Fletcher, who’s currently on loan from United to Nottingham Forest’s reserve team. He also likes playing with Darren Yapi.

If he hits as well as Chido Awaziem, Colorado’s attack will be as balanced and elevated as Chido has made their defense. We’ll see if he starts and scores May 3 at Audi Field against D.C.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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