Colorado Rapids announce end of year roster decisions

The announcement is the first set of moves that will help forecast the upcoming offseason. What do the moves mean for the players involved?

The Colorado Rapids have announced several end of year roster decisions, the club announced on Wednesday. 

Colorado has exercised the options on Keegan Rosenberry, Oliver Larraz, Nate Jones, and Calvin Harris.

The Rapids have declined the options for Lalas Abubakar, Sebastian Anderosn, Michael Edwards, Ethan Bandre, and Remi Cabral. They are in negotiations with Abubakar, Anderson, and Edwards to return. Jonathan Lewis, who is out of contract and can enter free agency, is also in discussions with the club.

The returning Rapids

In what is no surprise to Rapids fans, the captain Keegan Rosenberry will be back in 2025. While the RB’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season, I expect both sides to work towards a deal to keep him in Burgundy for the long term.

The same can be said for emerging homegrown midfielder Oliver Larraz, who defied all preseason expectations to log over 2,100 minutes across 34 matches with the club. He is clearly a good fit in the double pivot, and his FBRef profile matches that, with a strong year defensively and passing the ball.

Calvin Harris was quietly a solid rotation piece for Colorado last year, finishing fifth on the team in goals and tied for fifth in assists in just under 1,600 minutes. The former No. 2 overall draft pick from Cincinnati appears to be a favorite of club president Padraig Smith, and with another strong showing next summer could play himself into a long term deal with the club.

Nate Jones did not feature for the first team in his first year with the organization, but did play in 25 games with Rapids 2, playing nearly 2,000 minutes and leading the team in clearances. The 6’4” left-footed centerback has a profile teams spend years looking for, and by keeping him around for another season they may see gainful returns on the high draft pick. 

The Rapids that could be back

A no-doubt fan favorite, it is hard to see Lalas Abubakar having his option declined. A mainstay over the years on Colorado’s backline, the high-flying Ghanaian has seen his defensive impact decline, most notably when trying to fill the void left by the Moise Bombito departure in July. 

There was no chance the Rapids were going to bring him back on a deal worth north of $600,000 next season, but if he is willing to return at a much lower price I could see him being a fantastic depth option off the bench for Chris Armas.

Seb Anderson has been featuring for his hometown club since the 2019 season, but hasn’t fully broken through as a rotation regular to this point. With the emergence of homegrown Jackson Travis last season, combined with the late season addition of Reggie Cannon, it is unclear if there are minutes available for him in 2025.

Allowing Anderson the chance to test his value with other clubs in the league that can offer playing time is best for the player and the club, but it would not be shocking at all to see the homegrown return as a depth option if he can’t find an agreement elsewhere in MLS.

Michael Edwards (or Big Effing Michael Edwards, as Rapids twitter so fondly refers to him) has only totaled 208 minutes in two seasons with the first team. He did score an amazing backheel goal for his first in MLS, but with an expected defensive overhaul in Commerce City and a short resume, it would make sense to see him explore options elsewhere. 

The Rapids saying goodbye

Remi Cabral, who lit MLS NextPro on fire with Rapids 2 in 2023, spent 2024 on loan with Phoenix Rising in the USL Championship, recording seven goals and one assist in nearly 1,300 minutes. He is likely a USL C level player, and even with his twin brother Kevin as a DP with the Rapids, it is unlikely we see him back in Commerce City.

Ethan Bandre, brought in as a third keeper with Adam Beaudry getting so much time with the USYNT, did what was needed from his roster spot. 

Out of contract, out of town?

Jonathan Lewis, currently 10th all time on the Rapids goal scoring list, is an outright free agent. The club is in negotiations, but, unless there is no market for him elsewhere and the price is well below his 2024 salary, it is tough to see him returning to DSGP.