- Pablo Mastroeni is the Colorado Rapids’ most-capped player and was captain for a decade.
- Conor Casey is the Rapids’ all-time leading scorer with 50 goals.
- Chris Henderson tops Colorado’s all-time assists chart with 53 helpers.
The Colorado Rapids are one of Major League Soccer’s founding members, beginning play in its debut season in 1996.
The Rapids were competitive in their formative years, finishing as runners-up in the 1997 MLS Cup and the 1999 U.S. Open Cup. However, the club and its fans had to wait until 2010 for silverware, finally lifting the MLS Cup after an impressive run through the postseason after finishing fifth in the Western Conference.
Similar success has been difficult to replicate in recent seasons, as Colorado hasn’t won a playoff match since 2016 and rarely finds itself among the betting favourites in the MLS odds at the BetMGM sportsbook.
Given the club’s recent struggles, it’s no surprise that my five best Colorado Rapids MLS players have all retired.
5 Best Colorado Rapids MLS Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Colorado Rapids Years |
| 1 | Pablo Mastroeni | Midfielder | 2002-2013 |
| 2 | Conor Casey | Forward | 2007-2012 |
| 3 | Chris Henderson | Midfielder | 1996-1998 & 2002-2005 |
| 4 | Drew Moor | Defender | 2009-2015 & 2020-2022 |
| 5 | Marcelo Balboa | Defender | 1996-2001 |
Colorado Rapids All-Time Greatest Players
1. Pablo Mastroeni
Mastroeni was a stalwart in Colorado’s squad for more than a decade, making 225 MLS appearances for the club.
The former USMNT midfielder earned MLS All-Star honours in seven straight seasons (2002-2008), was the team’s MVP three times (2007, 2008, and 2010), and served as its captain from 2004-2013. He anchored the 2010 MLS Cup-winning side, lifting the trophy following the Rapids’ 2-1 victory over FC Dallas after extra time.
Mastroeni was the first player to have his number retired by the franchise, and although his three-and-a-half-year stint as the franchise’s head coach didn’t go well, that shouldn’t tarnish what he accomplished on the field.
2. Conor Casey
When I make soccer betting picks, I like to target teams with a reliable forward who can finish off the opportunities his teammates create for him.
Casey was that guy for the Rapids during his six-year run and remains the club’s all-time leading scorer with 50 goals in MLS play. The former USMNT striker scored the equalizer in the club’s MLS Cup triumph, earning MVP honours for his efforts.
He also earned an MLS Best XI nod in 2009 after scoring a career-best 16 goals in 24 appearances. Casey, who grew up in Denver, was a fan favourite and the club’s sixth inductee into its Gallery of Honor.
3. Chris Henderson
Henderson was one of the original Rapids and was recognized as the team’s MVP in its inaugural season after scoring three goals and providing eight assists in 29 games.
The American midfielder remains the club’s all-time leader in assists (53) and is its third-most capped player behind Mastroeni and Drew Moor (more on him in a moment). Henderson also scored 31 goals during his two stints in Colorado, earning MLS All-Star honours in 1997 and 2002.
Although he wasn’t able to help the team to a trophy, he was a significant contributor to its early successes.
4. Drew Moor
Much like Mastroeni, Moor was nearly ever-present in the Rapids lineup during his first stint with the club, which spanned seven seasons following a midsummer move from FC Dallas in 2009.
At one point, the centre back played 90 minutes in a league-record 68 consecutive games and unsurprisingly played every minute of the team’s 2010 MLS Cup run. He made over 200 appearances for the club and is one of 13 players in the league’s history to play 400 or more games.
Moor, who earned MLS All-Star recognition in 2015, remains heavily involved with the Rapids, serving as an analyst across various content platforms and also serving as an Elite Development Coach for its Academy.
5. Marcelo Balboa
The former USMNT centre back etched his name into Colorado Rapids history by scoring the club’s first goal and added to it with a second in a 3-1 victory over Dallas in his team debut.
Balboa had a knack for contributing on the other end of the pitch, becoming the first defender in league history to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists in his career. He even won MLS Goal of the Year in 2000 for a sweetly struck bicycle kick, and his exploits at both ends garnered him All-Star honours in four straight seasons (1997-2000).
Balboa played 151 matches for the Rapids across six seasons and was named to the MLS 10th Anniversary Team.
