COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids’ goal was to be playoff competitive in 2019. Through three coaches and plenty of additional upheaval, they remained alive until the final day of the season.

With captain Tim Howard retired and coach Robin Fraser taking full control of the club, a new chapter begins at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Rapids general manager Padraig Smith is armed with cap space, three designated player (DP) slots and a load of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to try and end a three-season postseason drought.

It will be a winter of uncertainty across MLS with two new expansion franchises joining the league next year in Miami and Nashville. Teams will be allowed to protect 12 players plus homegrown talent in the expansion draft. A short transfer window opened Monday.

Here are the five biggest questions for the Rapids this off-season.

What will the Rapids do with their three designated player slots?

The term is used for players that teams can sign outside of the salary cap. There’s also TAM, which can also help clubs operate outside the cap. Translation: the Rapids have the ability to add significant talent this winter, and they plan to do so. The most likely positional targets will be attacking midfielder, box-to-box midfielder, wing and center-back.

Will Colorado keep Lalas Abubakar?

The best addition the Rapids could make this offseason is keeping somebody they already have — sort of. Abubakar spent most of the year in Denver on loan, but his rights are owned by Columbus. The club conceded 1.5 goals per game when Abubakar started and 2.4 when he didn’t. Abubakar has made it clear that he would like to stay in Denver. The Rapids need to meet Columbus’ trade demands to keep him.

How does the defense get settled?

The Rapids’ wing back positions appear secure after Keegan Rosenberry’s iron man performance in 2019, and the encouraging play of 20-year-old Sam Vines. The center back position, however, is the question. The Rapids must decide if they want to pick up a team option on Tommy Smith, who has been inconsistent. Even if his option is picked up, Smith may be left unprotected in the expansion draft. Fellow defenders Kofi Opare, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Axel Sjoberg and Deklan Wynne are also candidates to be left unprotected. That means a lot could be left up to homegrown products Kortne Ford (missed all of 2019 with injuries), 17-year-old Sebastian Anderson and Sam Raben, who has yet to play in MLS.

Who will the shirt sponsor be?

The Rapids are set for an updated home uniform in 2020. And when they do it, the kit may have a new sponsor. Financial services company Transamerica’s four-year deal with the club is up, and the Rapids will consider a new name on the front as they chase a new, younger fan demographic.

How do the Rapids replace Howard?

Clint Irwin is likely to take over for Howard. The 30-year-old was the Rapids starter before Howard signed and Irwin won an MLS Cup in Toronto in 2017. The Rapids may bring in another experienced goalie to back up Irwin, though the club likes 27-year-old Andre Rawls, who had six clean sheets in 15 games while on loan with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.