Braidon Nourse
banner
braidonnourse.bsky.social
Braidon Nourse
@braidonnourse.bsky.social
Covering the Colorado Rapids and soccer in Colorado for The Denver Post. Questions? Story ideas? DMs open
Pinned
EXCLUSIVE: Colorado Rapids head coach Matt Wells talks process and tactics with The Denver Post in his first availability. He wants a dominant team, and quickly.

“That’s the exciting thing for me, ... is that they can’t escape me,” he joked.

www.denverpost.com/2025/12/23/m...
Matt Wells wants a dominant Rapids team, plans to unlock it quickly
Matt Wells wants a dominant team in his first head coaching job. The Colorado Rapids hired him, making it official on Tuesday, because they believe their roster can become one.
www.denverpost.com
Forgot to mention on the pod…

First Goldens in Golden this weekend with my boy. Cannot wait. If you’ll be there too, would love to meet
February 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Handful of reports suggest the Colorado Rapids are signing a Spanish second-tier CB, Loïc Williams, from Granada. Working to confirm or deny.
February 5, 2026 at 10:32 PM
I'm told Colorado Rapids 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick Donavan Philip, who signed a first team deal recently, is able to fully train with the team after his P-1 visa fully processed.
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Adam Beaudry has been loaned to Loudoun United in the USL Championship for the 2026 season. Rapids can recall him at any time.

Another loan spell for the youngster to get minutes at a high level.
February 5, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Braidon Nourse
“I am become Hamzat, Destroyer of worlds.”

I may have a new favorite player.
Hamzat Ojediran in his first media availability with the Colorado Rapids from Florida:

"You can call me a destroyer. I try to protect the team more. If I can get assists and goals, that will be a plus, but my main job is to make sure the team is balanced and secure."
February 4, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Hamzat Ojediran in his first media availability with the Colorado Rapids from Florida:

"You can call me a destroyer. I try to protect the team more. If I can get assists and goals, that will be a plus, but my main job is to make sure the team is balanced and secure."
February 4, 2026 at 8:09 PM
The Cole Bassett trade to Portland Timbers is official.
February 2, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Colorado Rapids 2 standout Sydney Wathuta has signed a first-team contract through June 2027 with options for the following two years. Well-deserved for the 21-year old, who has gotten better and better over the past year and a half.
February 2, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Colorado Rapids Director of Player Personnel Brian Crookham was named to the Colorado Soccer Association Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

More flowers for a trailblazer of modern Colorado soccer and at this point a Rapids legend.
February 2, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Matt Wells on Cole Bassett: "Really top player. Really positive in terms of the interactions I've had with him. ... We're gonna have to make difficult choices and this was certainly one of them."
January 28, 2026 at 7:35 PM
BREAKING: New Colorado Rapids midfielder Hamzat Ojediran has arrived in Denver and will join the team in Florida as soon as possible.
January 28, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Rapids are set to say goodbye to perhaps the best homegrown they have ever produced. Had a tough season last year.

As @burgundywave.bsky.social pointed out, the Rapids play Portland for their home opener.
I can confirm Tom Bogert‘s report that the Colorado Rapids are close to sending Cole Bassett to Portland.

The numbers, $2.65 million cashfer with addons to make it $3.7 million, along with a sell-on clause, are accurate.

Just woke up from a fever nap and it’s not a flu delusion.
January 28, 2026 at 1:17 AM
I can confirm Tom Bogert‘s report that the Colorado Rapids are close to sending Cole Bassett to Portland.

The numbers, $2.65 million cashfer with addons to make it $3.7 million, along with a sell-on clause, are accurate.

Just woke up from a fever nap and it’s not a flu delusion.
January 28, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Why did three Colorado Rapids coaches and two players miss day one of preseason?

Inside the P-1 visa process, why wait times are stretching longer across MLS and why Matt Wells is confident Hamzat Ojediran won’t turn into another Lamine Diack:

www.denverpost.com/2026/01/22/w...
Why three Rapids coaches, two players missed start of preseason while waiting on visas
Several key figures were missing from the first day of the Colorado Rapids’ preseason last week while waiting for U.S. work authorization to be approved.
www.denverpost.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:26 AM
INBOX: The Colorado Rapids have signed GK Nico Hansen to a new contract through June 2028 with options through June 2029 and 2030. Great move for a very capable backup (could probably start for multiple teams). Had a Linsanity-esque stretch with Zack Steffen injured last year.
January 22, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Just finished the Colorado Rapids' first official availability with head coach Matt Wells and winger Dante Sealy. Sounds like Wells is putting the team through the gauntlet physically. Mentioned he wants tired legs for preseason matchups to learn what guys are about when tired.
January 21, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Dante Sealy will wear No. 7 for the Colorado Rapids.
January 21, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Colorado Rapids head coach Matt Wells has arrived in Florida and will join the team, per source.
January 16, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Well, Oliver Larraz is heading to Vancouver Whitecaps. He was testing the European waters but left the door open to coming back to Colorado, but he'll be headed to the MLS Cup runners-up.
January 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
With Colorado Rapids preseason starting this week, bringing this story back to the forefront. Matt Wells hasn't joined the team in Florida yet, but I'm told he'll arrive sooner rather than later.

A snapshot of Wells' expectations for preseason: www.denverpost.com/2025/12/23/m...
Matt Wells wants a dominant Rapids team, plans to unlock it quickly
Matt Wells wants a dominant team in his first head coaching job. The Colorado Rapids hired him, making it official on Tuesday, because they believe their roster can become one.
www.denverpost.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Braidon Nourse
NEW YEAR NEW CCR‼️

The fellas dusted off the microphones and discussed a whole bunch of news, including the return of the Mayor, the new coaching staff, a potential brand change (???), and more. Subscribe and give five stars wherever you get your pods 🙏

open.spotify.com/episode/5dUo...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Tickets for the April 18 Colorado Rapids match against Inter Miami at Empower Field are officially for sale.

Lowest prices at this moment around $105 for 500 level. Lower bowl at midfield starting at high $200s.
January 15, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Chris Armas was interviewed on Soccerwise today with David Gass and Jordan Angeli. He's making his return to Colorado on July 3 as KC Current head coach.
Chris Armas is officially the new head coach of @kansascitycurrent.bsky.social 🤩

He sat down with Gass and Jordan to talk about his path to the NWSL 🗣️
January 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM
The NWSL schedule is out! Denver Summit begins @ Bay FC on March 14. Home opener @ Empower vs Washington Spirit.

Only two games @ DSGP: April 25, May 16. Looooot of Centennial Stadium in the summer/fall months -- 10 home games in a 14-game stretch between July and September.
January 15, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Former Colorado Rapids winger Calvin Harris signs with rivals Sporting Kansas City.
January 15, 2026 at 4:29 PM