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What a long, strange trip it’s been. Well, it’s accurate at least for describing the last 12 months of Colorado’s always-eventful soccer scene.
From having a pair of Coloradans boss a Women’s World Cup game, to a Colorado Rapids player (for now) making international news of a different kind, soccer in Colorado undoubtedly had its up and down moments. Here are the top 10 soccer stories of 2023, as determined by Colorado Rapids and Colorado Soccer beat reporter Brendan Ploen.
10) Weird weather typifies ’23
The age-old adage “save it for a rainy day” did not apply to Colorado. Not even close. The Rapids had six games with either delayed starts or postponed due to extreme weather. The storms ranged in severity from Hurricane Hillary out in L.A., an intense lightning delay which included fans sneaking onto the field and an epic July 4th deluge. Each time, fans turned to former Rapids beat reporter-turned 9News weatherman Chris Bianchi, thus, #BianchiWatch was born.
At least we’ll always have this moment: The Portland Timbers flew two-and-a-half hours to Colorado to finish the second half of a previously-rained out game, only for it to finish scoreless at a near-lifeless Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. As the two coaches shook hands at the full-time whistle, the Apple TV broadcast picked up a conversation for the ages.
“What a waste of time,” then-Timbers boss Gio Saverese said. Robin Fraser added his own exasperated expletive.
9) DU’s Franks stays; women’s team adds Sitch
The University of Denver soccer programs made big moves for the future, as Jamie Franks signed a multi-year extension with the men’s soccer team, while Julianne Sitch was named head coach of the Pioneers women’s team. The men reached another NCAA Tournament, while the women just missed out. The college game remains a great spot to see All-American talent.
8) CHSAA title games deliver again
CHSAA’s state soccer tournament is always a treat, but 2023 took it up a notch. From ThunderRidge’s Becca Walton standing on her head in a 1-0 win over Rock Canyon, to Broomfield edging out Denver East in a shootout in November, the drama delivered.
7) Lorne Donaldson has memorable 2023
One coach who personified joy this year was 68-year-old Lorne Donaldson of Real Colorado. He led Jamaica to a stunning knockout stage berth at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July, becoming the first Caribbean nation to do so.
Last week, he was named head coach of the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars, and will be coaching more Coloradans. If Donaldson can instill this much happiness in his teams, maybe soccer is doing just fine after all.
6) Captain Jack & friends depart Colorado
2023 heaped heartache upon heartache for Rapids fans, but seeing longtime captain Jack Price, talisman Diego Rubio and veteran Steven Beitashour leave the club for greener pastures was icing on the misery cake for many. Colorado’s front office declined their options, while Beitashour announced he’s hanging up his boots.
It could take a long time to find adequate replacements for all three.
5) “For Denver FC” launches effort to bring pro women’s soccer to town
Women’s soccer has always had a strong foothold in the Centennial State. This summer, a group announced they’re trying to make it permanent. FDFC, which stands for “For Denver, For Colorado,” is looking to earn a bid to the National Women’s Soccer League and begin play in the spring of 2026. Led by Lakewood’s Jordan Angeli, the group made plenty of noise at the unveiling this summer.
It will take someone with deep pockets to foot the bill, but, given the deep ties to the USWNT and 18 Coloradans actively in the NWSL, Denver appears poised to become a women’s soccer town.
4) Robin Fraser out; Chris Armas in
After getting shut out in nine of his last 10 matches, and winning one in 14, Colorado parted ways with Fraser in September. Even with the results, the fanbase never viewed him as the root of the Rapids’ woes, as the supporters explained their frustrations in the following weeks.
Chris Armas was named the new head coach in November, and with it, will bring an attacking, in-your-face style of soccer to Commerce City in 2024.
3) Centennial 38 lets KSE have it with protest
“The badge, the players, the fans deserve better” is the theme of the year, unquestionably. The team’s largest supporters group, C38, reached a breaking point in mid-September. With it came arguably one of the league’s most-respected supporter protests in history. After a scathing letter addressed to ownership and the front office dropped, hundreds walked out in a game versus New England and protest banners were omnipresent through Decision Day. Even the Commerce City mayor got involved the following month, adding his residents deserve better from KSE, too.
2) Coloradans steal the show at the World Cup
Two Colorado natives left their mark Down Under for the United States Women’s National Team. Even though it was a disappointing end for a team trying to win a third straight title, Windsor’s Sophia Smith burst onto the global scene, while Golden’s Lindsey Horan had the honor of a lifetime of leading her country out as team captain. Smith scored twice in the World Cup opener, while Horan’s tenacity led to a crucial game-tying goal against the Dutch.
It ended in a heartbreaking shootout loss to Sweden, but it’s clear those two will remain atop of the women’s game for years to come.
1) Max Alves implicated in match manipulation case
The No. 1 spot goes to the wildest story of the year, as Rapids midfielder Max Alves was suspended for a match manipulation probe. Alves, who was named in the initial O Globo report, has not played since for Colorado. Within hours of the news breaking, it became a global story. In Commerce City, the news was so surprising that it caught everyone in the Rapids front office and upper echelon of KSE totally off-guard. It made for an all-time gloomy training session the following day, and it proved to be an internal tipping point for Colorado’s disastrous 2023.
MLS has still not concluded its internal investigation, but Alves has been linked to a move back in Brazil. The ending of the Max saga will extend into next year and be just as outrageous as it was in May. The shock factor, even today, is why it’s my top soccer story of the year.
Anything you’d change? Give me a shout on X, @BrendanPloen, or my e-mail, [email protected]. As I detailed earlier this week, this is my final story at The Post. It truly was an honor to cover soccer in the Centennial State for the last two years, thanks in large part, to you, the readers. Here’s to an even better 2024.
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