Holding The High Line, a Colorado Rapids Podcast

Hello Colorado Rapids fans and Chris Armas! This week on Holding The High Line, THE RAPIDS beat San Jose Earthquakes 3-0! HTHL has four points from two away days recently. We banter about Rabbi's experience at PayPal Park. Then we recap the 3-0 win against San Jose. We talk Rafael Navarro, xG, and Zack Steffen's first clean sheet. Then we talk player news. Jasper Löffelsend has signed a contract extension. Dillon Serna announced his retirement. We celebrate his career. We finish the show discussing a(nother must win?) game against FC Dallas and doing Ask HTHL. Should dogs get to use all four paws in soccer? What happens when Connor Ronan is back from his knee injury? What do the Pids need to do to get some respect around here? We've got answers. Also, Rabbi was a guest on Quakes Epicenter after Saturday's game. Find it on YouTube here.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. Here is the third episode of Memories From Toronto. This week, Red speaks to striker Omar Cummings. We discuss how he the born and raised Jamaican ended up at the University of Cincinnati and the Colorado Rapids Reserves (Colorado Cobras). We learn about his relationships with Kosuke Kimura and Conor Casey. He's got thoughts on why he and Casey worked so well as a forward tandem and what made Gary Smith's style perfectly for that team. Get ready to go inside the grumpy mind of Casey, courtesy of the one person who could read his thoughts. The Reggae Boy shares his perspective on that fishing boat Kosuke bought. We discuss big regular season wins and how he and Mac Kandji got along and weren't really competing with each other(?). Then we discuss that playoff run. What was that series with Columbus Crew like? Why didn't he take a penalty at the end of that second leg? Was he really penalty shy? How was it playing San Jose in the Conference Final? And once and for all, we find out who should have gotten credit for the only goal in that game that saw Kimura cross the ball into the box and Cummings make a run to the ball. Then we discuss the final against FC Dallas. What was that game like? What plays stand out for him? Wait, he was playing that final with an ankle injury?! How did he feel watching the team get the win with him on the bench and Mac getting hurt? The we discuss the fallout over the next two years that saw him leave the club. What did he make of the Aston Villa rumor and did a move almost happen? Oh, and we discuss what he's doing now with FC Cincinnati. Photo Credit: Colorado Rapids

Hola fanáticos de los Colorado Rapids. Bienvenidos a Holding The High Line. This week on the pod, Matt Pollard is still coming down from the high of covering Saturday's game in person, seeing Lionel Messi live, and witnessing the Rapids getting a draw. We banter about what the press box and stadium experience are like at an Inter Miami game. Check out Red's away day diary for more info on that. Rabbi and Red break down how the Rapids went toe to toe with Messi and friends and survived. How about Cole Bassett and Oli Larraz? What's still not working in the attack? Is Moïse Bombito Colorado's best player right now? How good was Kévin Cabral again? And did the Pids get Ted Unkel'd? We've got answers to these questions and more. Then we touch base on what's going on with Rapids 2 and their recent two losses, including the Platte River Derby in the Open Cup. Then we look ahead to San Jose Earthquakes, who are down bad. Poor William Yarbrough. We have partnered with BETUS. Get a 125% bonus on your first three deposits when you use our link. They are even doing Concacaf competitions now.

Red takes you through his entire away day experience as Colorado Rapids played at Inter Miami CF and against Lionel Messi for the first time.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans! This week on Holding The High Line, the Rapids beat LAFC! From behind! Off a Djordje Mihailovic brace! Rabbi and Red get together to banter about the atmosphere at DICK's, why it's not great, and what can be done about it. We recap that wild 3-2 win over Los Angeles. Can the Rapids fake it till they make it? What's still not working with the attack? Is Chris Armas even coaching a pressing team at this point? How about Moïse Bombito and Oli Larraz? Was Kévin Cabral ok? How's Andreas Maxsø dealing with the mask? Then we talk Open Cup. Rapids 2 take on Northern Colorado Hailstorm. We preview Inter Miami, who could be missing/resting a lot of players, not just Lionel Messi. Can the Rapids make it two wins in a row or is Saturday going to be a loss against a surprise fully operational big pink Death Star. We have partnered with BETUS. Get a 125% bonus on your first three deposits when you use our link. They are even doing Concacaf competitions now.

Colorado Rapids fans, we have a problem. This week on Holding The High Line, we're all over the place. The Rapids lost to Houston Dynamo on the weekend, and Scabby The Ref was involved. Rabbi and Red banter about the history of Rapids mascots. RapidMan is the OG, but he went alway. Then we got Edison the Eagle and his Colorado animal crew. Then they went away and RapidMan came back a few years ago. Do you pray to the Old God or the New Gods? Or Both? Either way, Way of RapidMan approves. Then we discuss the loss to Houston. The pressing was better but there's still no end product. Sam Vines vs Griffin Dorsey was fun. Kimani Stewart-Baynes made his debut. The team just isn't creating enough chances and they're not finishing. Is it time to get worried about Djordje Mihailović and Rafael Navarro? Also, does Lamine Diack being an unused sub again mean he's becoming a bust? Also, what was up with the officiating of that final play where Andreas Maxsø reportedly broke his nose? Did the Rapids even deserve the win? We come up with (some answers), Franco Escobar shenanigans and all. Also, DON'T THROW TRASH ON THE FIELD! Then we discuss Rapids 2 beating Azteca in the Open Cup. We've got another South Platte River Derby. And we preview LAFC. Here's the link to that Matt Doyle piece Mark mentioned. We have partnered with BETUS. Get a 125% bonus on your first three deposits when you use our link. They are even doing Concacaf competitions now.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. Welcome to Holding The High Line with Rabbi and Red. This week on the podcast, we have a requested banter topic to discuss which Rapids players are the biggest thirst traps. We review the draw against Seattle Sounders. Did Djordje Mihailovic play well even with the missed penalty? Why isn't the team pressing and playing with intensity well? How did they outplay Rave Green and was it too easy? We've got answers to these questions and thoughts on Cole Bassett, Oliver Larraz, and Lamine Diack. Then we preview Houston Dynamo. They've got injuries and an exciting Colorado native. They finally won an MLS game over the weekend. Concacaf Champions Cup hangover? Is Benny Ball experiencing a sophomore slump? We also discuss Colorado Rapids 2 playing in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. We preview their match against Azteca FC and the roster rules that could see Homegrowns and draft picks get minutes. We have partnered with BETUS. Get a 125% bonus on your first three deposits when you use our link. They are even doing Concacaf competitions now.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans! How about that win in the Rocky Mountain Cup?! Holding The High is back with good vibes. We banter about Oliver Larraz maybe getting a nickname and the USWNT winning the Concacaf W Gold Cup. The Great Horan was great. Then we break down that win over Real Salt Lake. We discuss the bad start, Jasper Löffelsend subbing on for an injured Connor Ronan, Cole Bassett and Rafael Navarro scoring, and the defense seeing out a result let by Moïse Bombito. Zack Steffen is making big saves. Oli Larraz is making progress but still has room to grow. What about Djordje Mihailović and Omir Fernandez? Also did the Rapids poop-house RSL and in doing so give them a taste of their own medicine? We discuss all this and more. During the show, news breaks that Ralph Priso might be on his way to Vancouver Whitecaps. We analyze Priso's disappointing time in Burgundy and what this trade would mean. Then we preview Seattle Sounders on Saturday. It's an afternoon kickoff with Rave Green well rested.We talk Pedro de la Vega, intensity, Jordan Morris, and the Roldan brothers on the same flank. Lastly, we take your questions. Are we more or less optimistic on the season than we were three weeks ago? Where does Bombi rank on all time draft picks? Can the Rapids renegotiate the purchase option on Navarro? You've got questions, we've got answers. Also, here's Red's sicko article on every player who's played for RSL and Colorado. We have partnered with BETUS. Get a 125% bonus on your first three deposits when you use our link. They are even doing Concacaf competitions now.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. This week on Holding The High Line, it's the Rocky Mountain Cup! Rabbi and Red banter about Rapids 2 playing in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the replacement refs being poor. Then we break down what happened against Nashville. An improved performance, Calvin Harris creating a goal, missed chances, the xG stats, and that Jonathan Lewis handball, we talk it all. Then we move on to the Rocky Mountain Cup and the Marko Ilić rumor. Is this even a rivalry anymore given how one-sided its been? How was RSL's offseason and season so far? What players are gone or hurt? What will that mean for the midfield battle? We discuss. We end the show reading your responses to the Highliner merch online form. Appreciate you all.

Hello Darkness My Old Friend. Also hello Rapids fans. This week on Holding The High Line, our Group Think PTSD is back. We banter about MLS Commissioner Don Garber's comments about journalists being lazy by covering Lionel Messi. The boys have takes on what Garber may not realize about covering MLS and the underlying concerns that Messi's impact suggest. Then we do Good Thing, Bad Thing, Big Thing on that 4-1 loss at Portland Timbers that looked just like last year. There's a lot of Blame Pie to bake and serve. The guys then look ahead to the home opener against Nashville SC. Return of the Chris or Revenge of the Smith? Must win if Hany Mukhtar doesn't play? What lineup changes might we see? Also, Rest in Peace Joan. Lastly, we feature Red's guest spot on Urban Pitch to talk about the Rapids away day experience, fan culture, scran, and soccer street fashion. Links: Messi Lazy Article Rabbi's latest Backpass Urban Pitch YouTube Urban Pitch Podcast Feed Urban Pitch Twitter/X

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. MLS is back! Happy match week! This week on Holding The High Line, we have so much to talk about. The guys banter abut the new Rapids kit and the referee lockout that could see Scabby The Ref get a call wrong against the Pids. Also, we're officially #SaveTheCup. If you haven't seen, the national pundits do not think the Rapids will make the playoffs this year. Red breaks down their possible thinking, from Chris Armas being a bad hire, to the lack of a proven goal scorer, to Something To Prove FC. We hope y'all did your homework, salaries pundits. Rabbi and Red do a full Portland Timbers Preview. We discuss their offseason turnover, key additions, and of course Diego Chara and Evander. Can the Rapids get a result? Who will be in the starting lineup? How will Armas have the team play to open the year? Then Matt takes you inside Rapids training. We discuss the energy Armas brings, the types of drills, and how they're still a work in progress physically and tactically. Should we be encouraged or worried given how tough those first seven games are? Does that make the first two or three matches all the more important? We end the show hearing from Connor Ronan. The 2024 Colorado Rapids season is here, Rapids Community. Hope springs eternal. To steal the saying from Sunderland 'Till I Die, it's time for a rebirth of this football club and a Renaissance of the Rapids. If you want a more comprehensive preview pod of the whole of MLS, check out Last Word SC Radio.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. Here is the second episode of Memories From Toronto. This week, Red speaks to right back Kosuke Kimura. We discuss his soccer origins growing up in Japan. Get ready for a wild story of how he annoyed an embassy and gamed the SAT to get into college soccer at Western Illinois. We learn about his style of play as one of the first modern fullbacks in MLS and how he won his individual matchups. There's that story, rumor, myth(?) how he and Quincy Amarikwa bought a fishing boat and hid at DSGP. Kosuke has some interesting and stoic takes on his teammates from that 2010 team. He talks about so many matchups against quality wingers that he got the best of. His #27 has special meaning related to that. We get to the bottom of that goal in the Eastern Conference Final. Then of course there's extra time of the final where he had to play two positions with the Rapids down a man. Get ready for more Jair Benítez hate. Then we discuss the fallout from 2011, the end of his playing career, and how he reunited with Gary Smith in Nashville.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans! This week on Holding The High Line, Rabbi and Red do their annual season preview. We ask XI questions that will determine the fate of the 2024 Colorado Rapids. We close out the episode discussing our hopes for the final two preseason games and taking listener Ask HTHLs. Check out Red's recent appearances on the Designated Players podcast, Box State Footy, and MLS Fantasy Insider.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. Remember back in 2020 when we said we were interviewing players and staff from the 2010 Rapids team that won MLS Cup? Well, we're finally ready to present that series. Throughout 2024 on Sundays, we'll be releasing these interviews with some before and after commentary. In this first episode, Matt Pollard speaks with center back Marvell Wynne II. We discuss how he came to Colorado. There's plenty of talk about his position, the tactics around it, and the creativity of Head Coach Gary Smith that made it work. Marvell speaks well of his teammates, gives some takes on FC Dallas and LA Galaxy, and takes us inside the huddle of those extra time periods in the playoffs. Get ready to hate Jair Benítez again/even more. Wynne gets real on Fort Collins native Colin Clark on an issue that also hits close to home for him. For more information on heart health, check out these resources at the CDPHE and American Heart Association. Holding The High Line is proud to present Part 1 of Memories From Toronto: The Story of the 2010 Colorado Rapids.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. This week on Holding The High Line, Rabbi is back. We banter about Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool. We break down the immanent Lamine Diack loan deal. The guys discuss players news surrounding Miguel Navarro, Oliver Semmle, and Danny Wilson. Also could we see Sidnie Tavares, Aboubacar Keita, Lalas Abubakar, and Jonathan Lewis leave? We check in on the club in preseason. Jasper Löffelsend is crushing it. The team's mostly healthy. They're building culture. Is the Darren Yapi Hype Train back? And how about that 5-1 win against Querétaro FC. We break it all down. We finish the show talking Leagues Cup and doing Ask HTHLs. With Portland Timbers and Club León in the group, could the Rapids advance? How great is the Marcelo Balboa Derby going to be? And who's on the Rapids Mt. Rushmore now and in the future? We discuss.

Hello Rapids fans. This week on the pod, Rabbi Mark Goodman's off for a Jewish holiday. Matt Pollard banters about the possible PRO referee strike and an American being denied a move to Russia. He discusses the club's new primary kit, which might not be all Burgundy. We touch on a few things on Sam Vines becoming official, with the #3 shirt in good hands. Two SuperDraft picks are officially on first team contracts. Miguel Navarro, Aboubacar Keita, and Lalas Abubakar could be on the way out. Rémi Cabral has signed a first team deal. The Rapids lost their first preseason game and Lamine Diack is a new No. 6 target. Then we feature Matt's interview with Mr. Rapid, Captain Keegan Rosenberry, from Monday.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. This week, Holding The High Line opens the show with heavy hearts. We podcast just hours after news breaks that Rapids super fan Joan Dobrzynski passed away. We reminisce about her time as a fan of the club and what she meant to the players and Rapids Community. Then Rabbi and Red talk Rapids Media Day. We discuss whether Keegan Rosenberry has shown he should be the new captain. We introduce the concept of Something To Prove FC. Get as excited as the new guys as we talk Zack Steffen's knee, Djordje Mihailović humor, Chris Armas going off on the Open Cup, and more. We have reason to believe Sam Vines will immanently be announced as rejoining the Rapids. The boys discuss what went wrong at Royal Antwerp, what him and other players coming to the club having failed(?) in Europe mean, and whether Armas will bring the Vines back back to Commerce City. The guys then discuss the preseason schedule as the Rapids return to Querétaro and Orlando. They've replaced four pitches at DSGP. There's concerns about how much information we'll get while the team's out of town. Lastly, we take listener questions. We discuss contract info, No. 6 prospects (Kellyn Acosta anyone?), season expectations, and center forward depth. Also, we officially had a listener in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. During the show, we bring up Mark Goodman's and John Babiak's articles on Joan.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. This week on Holding The High Line, we have conflicting schedules! Rabbi Mark Goodman sends a voice note to discuss the Jasper Löffelsend trade and Adam Beaudry signing as a Homegrown. Matt Pollard talks Cole Bassett extension, Zack Steffen on a free, Max Alves saying bye to the Rapids, U22 slots, and more. Find the club's fan survey here.

Hello Colorado Rapids fans. This week on Holding The High Line, Rabbi and Red podcast for the first time since the holidays. We discuss Fulham finally winning a Holding The High London Derby. The guys celebrate Danny Wilson, Sam Nicholson, and William Yarbrough upon their departures from the club. Then we get into the news. We talk all things Zack Steffen and Đorđe Mihailović. What do they bring to the club? What are their ceilings and floors? What are the financial implications of these moves? Marko Ilić out? Where's this money coming from and how much realistically is being spent? Where does Mihailović play and who all starts around him? We've got Goalkeeper Math on Roster Rules on Fancy Stats on waffles. Then we get into some fire HTHLs. Assistant coaching futures, Rapids players by tiers, predicting the next Rapids captain, new primary kit rumors, and facilities upgrades. Also, we basically confirm we support Scottish independence.

Happy New Year Colorado Rapids fans! On this episode of Holding The High Line, Red is joined by Brendan Ploen for his final act as beat writer for The Denver Post. We discuss the biggest Colorado soccer stories of 2023. We give WoSo and the college game their due. Matt discusses how 2023 was so weird for the Rapids on so many levels. We try to make sense of that chaos and give it perspective, historically. Then we look ahead to 2024 and the loose ends from 2023. Here's Brendan's piece on the top ten stories of the year.