The Colorado Rapids were the surprise team of the year last year. The preceding seasons of mediocrity were erased with a stout defense that gave up the fewest goals in MLS, propelling the Rapids to the playoffs for the first time in years and even getting them past the LA Galaxy in the second round to make it all the way to Western Conference finals.
That magic seems to be gone this year. The Rapids are leaking goals, in no small part because they traded away Sam Cronin and Marc Burch, two veteran players that made up the backbone of their defense, to Minnesota United.