COMMERCE CITY — Just two games into the season, the Rapids moved quickly to keep two emergent American players on their roster, signing defender Chris Klute and goalkeeper Clint Irwin to contract extensions, the team said.

The Rapids, following Major League Soccer policy, did not release contract figures for Klute and Irwin. But both are likely to have at least doubled their salaries.

Klute, 24, who led Colorado in assists last season and has been a recent call-up to U.S. national team camps, took over as the Rapids left fullback last season. His development into an attacking flank player from the Colorado’s backline turned him into a valuable player in MLS and, potentially, with Jurgen Klinsmann’s national side.

Irwin, 24, who replaced injured veteran Matt Pickens early last season, took over the Rapids starting goalkeeper spot and finished the season tied for the club record in shutouts, with 10.

According to salary figures released by the MLS Players Union, Irwin earned a league minimum $35,125 last season after signing with the Rapids early in the preseason from the Charlotte Eagles of the third-division USL team. Irwin may have bumped his salary to more than $100,000 — generally, the going rate for starting goalkeepers in MLS is in the six-figure range.

“Both Clint and Chris broke out in 2013 and proved themselves to be among the best players in MLS at their positions,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo said in a release. “We’re thrilled to be able to sign them to new contracts and keep them here in Colorado where they’ve become a very important part of our club.”

Klute, who arrived in Colorado late in 2012 on loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks of the second-division NASL, signed a $46,500 contract with the Rapids midseason last year. His extension is likely worth even more than Irwin’s, because he plays a more valuable position.

After the Rapids waived Pickens last week, he was picked up by the New England Revolution, who then flipped him to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL. Tampa Bay’s signing of Pickens released the Rapids from his $190,000 salary cap hit.

It seems the Rapids used part of that savings on raises for Klute and Irwin.

A thigh injury has kept Irwin from playing in the Rapids’ first two games. Instead, second-round draft pick John Berner has allowed just one goal as Colorado tied New York 1-1 on the road, then beat Portland at home 2-0 last week.

Klute, too, is currently out with a hamstring injury. He missed last week’s game against the Timbers and is expected to miss Saturday’s game against Kansas City at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke