Rapids notebook: Through Olympic adversity, it’s business as usual for Colorado

The easy days are done for the Colorado Rapids.

With one of their best players gone on Olympic duty and a stretch of top opponents coming up, it’s time for the Rapids to prove they belong in a top-four spot in the Western Conference.

First on the docket of tough games is coach Chris Armas’ and winger Omir Fernández’s former team, New York Red Bulls, at home on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. After that, the Rapids play the west’s No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the span of a week.

The Red Bulls currently sit in fourth in the Eastern Conference and play a similar press and release style to the Rapids. Both teams will be without top players, as Colorado’s Djordje Mihailovic and New York’s John Tolkin left for U.S. Olympic camp earlier this week.

Here are three notes from the week leading up to the real nitty-gritty of the Rapids’ season:

Business as usual

Fernández, who played in the Red Bulls’ system from 2016 until last December, had this match circled on his calendar since the 2024 schedule was released. But he downplayed its significance when asked about facing his former team this week.

The major focus is on finding a way to help his teammates continue a recent run of play that’s seen the Rapids win five of their last six games, Fernández insisted. But with numerous family members in attendance, some for the first time since his move to Colorado, there’s no doubt this one will be special.

“I obviously want to perform well and I want the team to win because I’m a Colorado Rapid now,” Fernández said. “We’re doing well and I want to continue to win games.

“My family made sure to come for this one and they’re really excited.”

For Armas, the match won’t be the first time he’s faced New York since being the head coach there. That came in a 2-0 loss in 2021 during his short stint as Toronto FC’s head coach.

Like Fernández, he said he’s treating it as just another game.

“It’s a really important game and that’s how I approach every game,” Armas said. “The fact that it’s New York Red Bulls — it’s very important that we understand each opponent poses different challenges and different opportunities for us.”

Two Rapids players called up

Goalkeeper Adam Beaudry, 18, and winger Kimani Stewart-Baynes, 19, have been called up to the U.S. and Canada U-20 national teams, respectively, for this summer’s CONCACAF U-20 Championships.

Beaudry is no stranger to big call-ups, his most recent being with the U-19 squad for friendlies against Argentina and Uruguay. For Stewart-Baynes, it will be his second call-up after a U-20 camp earlier this season.

The tournament, which takes place July 13 through Aug. 14, will serve as a qualifier for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup. The top four finishers get an automatic bid to the World Cup.

“We are incredibly delighted for Kimani to receive this call-up,” Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor said in a press release. “We are proud that he’s earned this opportunity and look forward to seeing him excel and continue his development on the international stage.”

The U.S. U-20 is ranked No. 1 in CONCACAF, while Canada is ranked No. 12.

Transition game improving

One of the cornerstones of a 4-1 win over St. Louis CITY last weekend was the Rapids’ counterattack and transition play.

The first two goals of the match came from that sort of play, both of which were spurred by Fernández and wrapped in a bow by midfielder Cole Bassett. The first was a give-and-go party from box to box, ending in a goal by winger Kévin Cabral assisted by Bassett. Next was a long ball from Fernández to Cabral, then a layoff to Bassett who tucked it away to the far post.

Bassett was a late removal from the U.S. Olympic roster and said after the St. Louis game that he had “something to prove.” Mission accomplished. It only helped that with Mihailovic’s absence due to a yellow card accumulation suspension, Bassett could slot into an attacking role.