With Tim Howard out until at least mid March at the earliest, the Rapids will turn to backup goalkeeper Zac MacMath early this season.

MacMath went 9-3-5 with a 0.76 goals-against average and a 0.75 save percentage in 17 league games last year, but was supplanted as the regular starter on July 4 last season when Howard joined the club.

The Rapids, however, saw enough to sign MacMath to an extension this offseason.

“They were pretty pleased with how the first half of the season went last year, and decided they wanted to keep me here for longer than my current contract and I got another year added to it,” MacMath said last week. “I’m very happy to have that signed for the next two years.”

The Rapids named MacMath and Howard their co-MVPs last season for their work behind the league’s top defense.

After a midseason transfer was denied by the Rapids last year, MacMath told The Denver Post he didn’t see himself in Colorado long term and planned to look at his options during the offseason. However, MacMath said last week he doesn’t anticipate a transfer at this point. Related Articles January 30, 2017 Tim Howard eyes return, sets big goals for Colorado Rapids

“If that was going to happen, it probably already would’ve happened,” MacMath said. “There obviously wasn’t enough interest around the league to move teams. I’m here, I’m a Rapids player for the foreseeable future and I’m looking forward to it.”

MacMath was not a full participant in training last week, opting to take it easy on the artificial turf in the Colorado Buffaloes football bubble in Boulder. He said he felt a little rusty coming off the offseason, but thought he’d get back up to the speed of things quickly.

As far as his role for 2017, MacMath said he thinks it will look similar to the second half of last season.

“Tim and I are going to push for that No. 1 spot, and obviously, I’m going to help the team in any way possible,” MacMath said. “If it takes him time to get back, or when he gets back then move to do what I was doing the second half. So just really being a team guy and trying to help out anywhere I’m needed.”

Whether he’s happy in a backup role is another question entirely.

“Never happy to not be on the field, but I’m happy to be a part of this team and this club,” MacMath said. “We’ve got the core group of guys coming back from last year, with a couple new pieces that we’re trying to build on for an even better 2017.”