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Braidon Nourse

@braidonnourse.bsky.social

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Covering the Colorado Rapids and soccer in Colorado for The Denver Post. Questions? Story ideas? DMs open

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · Aug 22

Paxten Aaronson hopes to make Colorado his home. Familiarity with players and an instant connection with Chris Armas could make that easy.

On a new No. 10 for the Colorado Rapids:

www.denverpost.com/2025/08/22/p...

Paxten Aaronson on record move to Colorado Rapids: ‘It’ll challenge me as a young player’

Paxten Aaronson saw familiarity — and perhaps a home — in Colorado.

www.denverpost.com

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 8h

Soooo to summarize: you’ve got Cole Bassett, a 6 who’s more comfortable and wants to play as an 8/10. And a 10 in Paxten Aaronson who says he’s been more effective as a 6/8 in the past.

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 8h

Something that was glossed over with the events in last night’s presser:

Paxten Aaronson revealed it “took some time to get used to” playing in the 10 spot with the Rapids. Said he played deeper at Utrecht last season and was able to create more as a late arriver.

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 8h

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 9h

Matt Pollard, in more ways than one, out-professional-ed Chris Armas last night

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 13h

However sorely this campaign ended, it’s still unreal I get to call this work.

This year taught me more than any other and has been stressful, but equally rewarding. The people pictured, and all you who read and listen, make it worth the long days.

Season three ✅

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Reposted by Braidon Nourse

Soccer_Rabbi, Mark Asher Goodman @rabbimarkasherg.bsky.social · 15h

Good to see the entire soccer journalism world backing up Matt Pollard and @burgundywave.bsky.social this morning.

Pro tip to coaches:
don’t pick a fight with the journalists that cover you.

It’s is almost always a bad look.

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 21h

Put out a middle of the pack product, expect coverage that reflects that. For Armas to pick this moment to publicly bash Burgundy Wave was unprofessional and it was much nastier than any coverage BW has offered the club. Matt is as good as it gets.

Burgundy Wave @burgundywave.bsky.social · 23h

Chris Armas on his future being out of contract, after being snarky and attacking our coverage as always being negative and wondering how many people read us:

"It's fresh. It just ended (the season). We'll have discussions."

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 23h

A very generous description

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 23h

😂😂😂

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 23h

Chris Armas was a bit fiery and didn't directly answer the question about his future with the club, but he has alluded to this project "not being done" and that this group has more to go together.

Take that as you will. Discussions seem to still be ongoing.

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

It seems I didn't factor in the Rapids could also choke

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

YAPI HOUR OH MY GOD!!! ALL THE RAPIDS NEED IS FC DALLAS OR RSL TO CHOKE

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

YAPI HOUR OH MY GOD!!! ALL THE RAPIDS NEED IS FC DALLAS OR RSL TO CHOKE

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

PAXTEN AARONSON OPENS THE ACCOUNT!! Hugo Lloris has another moment to forget in Commerce City: getting a pass blocked by Aaronson and straight into the goal. It's on in Colorado, but don't forget, the Rapids need to win this game and have one of RSL and Dallas drop points.

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

Tonight's attendance: 18,258

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

Turns out Son CAN do it on a cold night in Commerce City

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

Son gonna Son. One on one with Andreas Maxsø and it goes about how you think it would. Rapids need multiple miracles.

1-0 LAFC

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

Aaaaaaand Dallas scores against Vancouver. It's beginning to not matter what happens here in Commerce City.

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

More bad news for the Rapids: Real Salt Lake scores an early one on St. Louis.

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

Reggie Cannon yellow card in the 17th minute. Not good, but stopped a counter

Reposted by Braidon Nourse

Burgundy Wave @burgundywave.bsky.social · 1d

6' Vines with a good run into space. He crosses into the box. Navarro is able to get there. Shot blocked. A very Rafa Santos moment from Vines, @braidonnourse.bsky.social.

0-0 | #Rapids96

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 1d

Vancouver gets an early DOGSO red card at home vs Dallas. Not the way Rapids fans want that one to start.

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 3d

Oh yeah, and they want all these changes to start in the 2026/27 academic year to take full advantage of World Cup momentum. There's a lot of potential in this plan, but for it to start next year seems hasty.

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 3d

U.S. Soccer and NextGen College Soccer Committee release "White Paper," a set of recommendations to work to align college soccer and professional soccer. As far as I've heard, the University of Denver would be on board with many aspects of this plan. Here's the big points:

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 3d

"Must have" outcomes of the shift:
-Cost of running a DI college program should decrease while revenue goes up
-Increase well-being of student-athletes in multiple facets.
-Enhance identification, development of elite players for professional/national team careers "immediately."

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 3d

-Complete conference restructure: "Blue, yellow, green and red clusters" based on large regions (west coast, midwest, northeast, southeast) with 8-10 teams in local "divisions" within those clusters. All based on geography with competitive interests in mind.

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Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 3d

-Integration with professional leagues through pre-season (fall) and return-to-play (spring). Those "unofficial games" ideally would be against professional teams or rivals that would now reside in other conferences. Could also include "mini-cups" or Community Shield-style games.

Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse.bsky.social · 3d

-Longer calendar: A season would stretch to the entirety of the school year, not just the fall season. That means some regular-season play in the fall, a long break for winter, then tournaments in the spring. Also, more time between matches (decrease fixture congestion).

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