Diego Rubio is at Peace With the Colorado Rapids. He Advocated for his Obsolescence.

Austin, Texas – Diego Rubio is a poop-houser. He can be a salty human. A pest in the press. An absolute gamer you’d want when an MLS game turns into a bar fight. He’s got flare. This is why Colorado Rapids fans cheered for him, but were also annoyed by him at times.

Rubio was a Burgundy Boy from 2019-2023. He was a part of that great partnership with Kei Kamara that led to double digit goals for both players in 2019. He had 16 goals and 7 assists in 2022. Out of contract in 2023, he announced his departure within minutes of the final whistle of the home finale. It sent shockwaves through the Rapids Community and signaled big squad turnover to come that winter.

“The most disappointing thing is that they didn’t let me play the last game. I tried to keep it quiet. It was a shock for me. I spent five amazing years with amazing people. We have a good relationship with the fans. I wanted to say thank you, playing a couple minutes. I would say it was a common (mutual) decision. I made my decision halfway through the year. The relationship has to work. Maybe I’m not the right fit in the team because we are not qualifying for playoffs,” Rubio told Burgundy Wave.

“It was a special place for me, for my family. We became a family over there (the club). They treat me very well.”

Fast forward two years, Rubio is a super sub for Austin FC. They’re hosting the U.S. Open Cup Final soon. He’s a productive secondary attacker on a decent team that will have a home playoff game. His family likes it there. One of his three kids even plays goalkeeper for a local youth club because he’s a Brad Stuver fan.

“My family loves it. We are very happy. The club is amazing. The stadium, the facilities,” he said.

He’s now played against his former club four times. He started both matches in 2024 and has been a sub in 2025. Last year, his first time back at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park went poorly. Verde lost 2-0. He was subbed off in a huff, slamming down on the bench in disgust.

This year, the away team won both games. Rubio thought he drew a late penalty to help earn a 1-1 draw but VAR rightly determined that Wayne Frederick II got all ball. Rubio and Austin then won 0-2 at DSGP in June.

I’ve noticed a trend of Rapids players who leave the club then play at DSGP as visiting players. The ones who seem the most gracious and grateful in their return get results. Karma, the Universe, the Soccer Gods seem to reward the energy they bring in honoring their time with the Rapids but now competing against them. Those who treat it as a revenge tour leave disappointed.

See the evidence in the difference between Rubio’s first and second returns as well as William Yarbrough and Lalas Abubakar. Did Rubio make a big deal of the game this time?

“No. It’s always special to go there and see people that I know. I spent five amazing years there. But for me, it’s three points.”

Rubio still has relationships with people at and from the club. Rubio didn’t trade shirts with any Rapids players in June but had previously traded with Rafael Navarro. He still talks to Mickey Barrios, Braian Galván, Yarbrough. They don’t have a group chat, but he talks individually. He and Barrios exchange Instagram reels now and then.

“I love Oli (Larraz). The Physical Therapists. Cole (Bassett). Guys who I have good moments (with) I still remember.” I know some people left. I still have good friends (from the Rapids, not necessarily, still there).”

The 32-year-old has had time to reflect on his departure from Colorado and wha the club has done since with the youth movement and spending more money.

“They started investing even more money. You can be jealous. This is what we fought for four years. We tried to tell people, owners, everybody, that they should invest more. They did it (finally). It wasn’t that difficult. That’s what we asked every year. With a lot of guys leaving, they have success. I hope they keep doing it. If you want to have success, you have to invest.”

He added, “Sometimes they get tired of good things. They like to get players from other countries.”

Rubio could be sub-tweeting the facilities. We previously covered the MLSPA grievance about that. One thing for certain, the club has spent more on the first two. Over $7 million in acquisition costs for Navarro and Djordje Mihailović (Rubio’s replacement). They then spent the profit from selling Mihailović on Paxten Aaronson. Both players are younger and better than Rubio.

He and other players showed what this club could achieve in 2021. They wanted KSE and the Rapids FO to invest to enable the club to take the next steps. To try and win a trophy. In hindsight, Rubio and his teammates advocated for them to be replaced. The tone in his voice wasn’t one of being betrayed. He’s moved on. But also, he told you son.

For now, Rubio’s got a good thing going on Austin. They could win a trophy. They might be a tough out in the playoffs come November. He wasn’t expecting to stay in MLS after 2023. But he’s already thinking about how he wants his career to end.

“It’s too soon to talk about retirement. My dream when I left the Rapids was all about playing in Colo Colo in 2024. That’s the real reason I didn’t want to hear anything from MLS. I would love to try to play over there, for at least 6 months. A passionate country. You will figure out where I want to play. It’s a country that they feel the soccer with full stadiums every game, it’s crazy fans. Crazy stadiums. It’s a dream. We’ll see.”

For the record, I think he’s talking about Argentina. He’d fit in culturally there. I think he finishes his contact out with Austin then goes back home to Colo Colo.

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