Once again the Colorado Rapids go through an offseason of modification. For the fourth year in a row the Rapids made big changes in hopes of bringing back the glory of winning the MLS Cup. Twice over those four years the team has introduced a new Head Coach and twice that coach's horrendous first year was followed by a massive overhaul of the roster. The first time Oscar Pareja was able to take that overhaul and finish the year with the most points in franchise history. Now, it is Pablo Mastroeni’s turn to attempt the same thing.

Mastroeni took over a team in turmoil in 2014, after Pareja left amid various rumors of tampering from FC Dallas. The Mastroeni led team started strong but ended the year on a franchise worst 14 game winless streak, where they would gain just two out of a possible 42 points. Mastroeni has since overhauled the defense and midfield in hopes of bolstering the weakest part of the 2014 squad.

Fans saw the departure of Marvell Wynne as an upgrade while the trading of Chris Klute to Columbus was seen as a huge loss. Neither player had a great year in 2014, but a defense that was marred by injuries forced both players into roles neither played well.

Wynne was thrust into the center-back role due to injuries to Drew Moor, Shane O’Neill, and Jared Watts. Klute started the year injured and was forced to the right side when Moor, O’Neill, and Watts went down. Both players’ deficiencies bubbled to the surface, but Wynne’s salary was the main reason that fans were pleased to see him go.

Colorado has added three veteran defenders, Bobby Burling, Michael Harrington, and James Riley, in hopes of improving their porous defense. With Moor still recovering form knee surgery, all three are likely to find starting spots on the back line right away. With Burling they get a talented veteran with height and presence that is going to give the center back position something they have missed since the days of Julien Baudet.

Harrington and Riley give Colorado an upgrade at either wingback. Klute’s youth was helpful in terms of being able to go forward and help out offensively, but it also showed in his mentality last year. Riley and Harrington have been through the ringer, and know what it takes to play for good and bad teams, and remain mentally strong through everything.

While the defense was a dumpster fire for the last third of the year for Colorado, the midfield could arguably have been just as bad. And, with Jose Mari deciding to head back to Spain during the offseason things looked even bleaker. The Rapids started their overhaul at midfield with the acquisition of LA Galaxy vet Marcelo Sarvas. Many LA fans saw Sarvas as the heart and soul of the Galaxy, what that will mean to the Rapids is yet to be determined.

Colorado also brought in Sam Cronin, Lucas Pittinari, and Juan Ramirez. Cronin was brought in just days after Sarvas. Cronin had played his previous four years with the San Jose Earthquakes. He was brought in to add veteran leadership to what had become a young team.

Pittinari comes in on loan the Argentine club Belgrano. Lucas’ role with Colorado could force a difficult decision from Mastroeni; he is seen by most as a defensive midfielder, but his versatility could lead to a starting role on the right side. His vision and passing ability could be aided by the presence of Vicente Sanchez. Sanchez has been a fan favorite for the last couple of years and his veteran presence could help Pittinari grow leaps and bounds.

Colorado announced early in the offseason that they would be signing a second designated player during the offseason. While it did not happen in the initial time frame that the front office set forward, they did sign Juan Ramirez to a designated player contract. Most fans were disappointed with this signing due to what the Rapids front office stated they were looking for from this signing.

Ramirez is still a vastly unknown commodity, but with his addition as well as Cronin and Sarvas there are big questions about Dillon Powers, Sanchez and the entire Rapids midfield.

Another area that the Rapids struggled in 2014 was a goalkeeper. With Clint Irwin struggling and two newcomers to MLS in Jon Berner and Joe Nascoe the Rapids ended 2014 with a revolving door of keepers. Colorado decided to bring in another keeper to push Irwin. Zac MacMath was acquired via loan from the Philadelphia Union just before the SuperDraft in January. MacMath was the fifth overall selection in the 2011 draft, and has played nearly every game for the Union since 2012. His stats are very similar to Irwin’s first year, and his presence with Colorado is surely going to push Irwin.

While Colorado looks to have addressed the majority of their weaknesses from 2014, there is still a glaring hole! Striker! With the insistence of playing a 4-2-3-1 it will be interesting to see where the goals will come from for the Rapids. Deshorn Brown has been Colorado’s leading scorer for the last two years, and Gabriel Torres has underwhelmed during his tenure in Burgundy. The addition of Dominique Badji via the SuperDraft looks like it could just what Colorado might need to score more goals.

Badji has made in impact during the preseason, but the biggest question that Colorado faces is do they have a player that can make an impact up front by themselves. Deshorn Brown has shown that he cannot cut it by himself up top. Gabriel Torres has not been fit enough to make any sort of impact. If Badji can show that he can finish opportunities he could quickly supplant Brown as Colorado’s top striker.

With all the changes that have been made during the offseason 2015 could end up being just as bad of a season as 2014. But, if the Rapids can come together like the 2013 team did, Colorado could be a surprise team to make the 2015 playoffs. The roster changes are not the only thing that is working against the Rapids in 2015. The addition of Sporting KC and Houston Dynamo to the Western Conference has made it even harder for Colorado to make the playoffs. Can the additions made and another year under Mastroeni’s belt make a difference? Only time will tell!

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