The Colorado Rapids had a stunning 2016 season, finishing second in the Western Conference and going all the way to the Western Conference Championship. They enter the 2017 season with something they haven’t had in a while: expectations. Here is a look at all the transfers, offseason stories, and 2017 predictions.

Coming into the 2016 season, the Colorado Rapids were expected to be one of the bottom dwellers of the league yet again. What actually happened, however, was a shocking turnaround from the previous few years that saw them come just points away from winning the Supporters’ Shield. Coming into this season, they look to replicate the season they had last year. There have been a number of players that came in and out, but much of the core is still in place.

Recap of 2016

Record: 15(W)-13(D)-6(L)

Finishing Position: 2nd in the Western Conference

Post-season: Eliminated in the Western Conference Finals

In 2016, many people considered the Rapids the most surprising story of the MLS season. For the past few years, the Rapids had been one of the worst teams in the league, and suddenly they became one of the best. Much of this is credit to their defense and stellar home record. Throughout the season, the Rapids only allowed 32 goals in 34 games. They also managed to go undefeated at home until losing their home leg of the Western Conference finals to the Seattle Sounders.

The biggest struggle for the Colorado Rapids, however, was their offense. The team only managed to score 39 goals, the lowest of any playoff team. On top of that, their leading goal scorer, Shkelzen Gashi only had 9 goals. The Rapids carried two DPs in the offensive third, Gashi and Kevin Doyle, and only got 15 goals from them. That production proved to be too little as the Rapids fell just short of an MLS Cup Final.

On top of the amazing season, Axel Sjoberg was a finalist for defender of the year, and Gashi picked up the goal of the year. He also may have had an even better goal against the LA Galaxy in the playoffs. Here are both of them.

Transfers In:

Alan Gordon (Free agent)

Bismark Adjei-Boateng (Transfer from Man City)

Kortne Ford (Home grown)

Ricardo Perez (Home Grown)

Sam Hamilton (Draft)

Liam Callahan (Draft)

Jaime Siaj (Draft)

Transfers Out:

Jermaine Jones (traded to LA Galaxy)

Joseph Greenspan (transferred to Minnesota United)

Sebastien Le Toux (Free agent to D.C. United)

Zac Pfeffer (Free agent)

Marco Pappa (Free agent to CSD Municipal)

Predicted Starting XI For Opening Weekend

The biggest question for the Rapids is who plays the number 10 role. In the past, Doyle and Powers have both played it. If Doyle ends up playing it, look for Badji to slot in up top. If Powers plays the 10, Doyle will probably start as striker. I would guess Bismark Adjei-Boateng works his way into the lineup eventually, but for now he may be given a little more time to adjust to America and the MLS before getting starts.

2017 Predictions

The Rapids had a record year defensively last year, and the odds of them being able to totally match that may be a little unrealistic. It is also pretty unlikely they go undefeated at home again. For these reasons, the Rapids may not have as good a year as 2016, but they should still be competitive.

The only really changes to the starting XI come in the form of Powers and Hairston. Powers will be replacing Jermaine Jones, who only played 9 games anyway. Hairston will likely be taking over the right wing which was manned by a number of different players last season. With another year under his belt, many believe he will be able to lock down the position this season, however.

Of the players that left, Jones was the only one who ever really saw significant playing time. When the time comes, Adjei-Boateng should be able to emulate the engine that Jones brought in the center of the midfield, and Gordon has proven to be a handy super sub throughout his career. Though he will miss some of the season for WCQ and potentially the Gold Cup, Tim Howard will also be around for the whole season, something that is sure to make an impact.

Overall, the Rapids defense should still be one of the best in the league, but the offensive may continue to struggle. Not many high-quality reinforcements were brought in on the offensive end, so it will be interesting to see if the Rapids score a few more goals this season. Expect the Rapids to remain a playoff team, but they probably won’t be fighting for the Supporters’ Shield again.

Finishing Position: 4th in the Western Conference

2017 MLS Team Previews