Braidon Nourse
@braidonnourse.bsky.social
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 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
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...
On a new No. 10 for the Colorado Rapids:
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/22/p...
The face of a man who just went on his first run 😂😂
November 29, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The face of a man who just went on his first run 😂😂
Sad to see Ian go. Had wonderful discussions with him and his dad, Dave (SJ assistant) for a preview for Rapids/Earthquakes earlier this year:
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/10/r...
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/10/r...
November 26, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Sad to see Ian go. Had wonderful discussions with him and his dad, Dave (SJ assistant) for a preview for Rapids/Earthquakes earlier this year:
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/10/r...
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/10/r...
BREAKING: Colorado Rapids assistant coach Ian Sarachan departs the club and accepts the head coach position for Butler University's men's soccer program.
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
BREAKING: Colorado Rapids assistant coach Ian Sarachan departs the club and accepts the head coach position for Butler University's men's soccer program.
The Colorado Rapids have until Dec. 15 to decide on Noah Cobb's purchase option from Atlanta United. Think that's pretty likely at this point given his impact, the club's perception of him and the fact the Rapids declined three CB options today.
November 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The Colorado Rapids have until Dec. 15 to decide on Noah Cobb's purchase option from Atlanta United. Think that's pretty likely at this point given his impact, the club's perception of him and the fact the Rapids declined three CB options today.
More info on who the Colorado Rapids are bringing back and letting go of on MLS roster decision deadline day:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/26/c...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/26/c...
Rapids announce year-end roster decisions
The Colorado Rapids announced decisions on Wednesday’s MLS roster-decision deadline as the season is coming to a close.
www.denverpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
More info on who the Colorado Rapids are bringing back and letting go of on MLS roster decision deadline day:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/26/c...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/26/c...
Overall pretty straightforward decisions on deadline day from the Rapids. I'd expect Rafael Santos to be back on a longer, potentially more expensive deal (contract would have been up after 2026).
I was surprised about Sam Bassett.
I was surprised about Sam Bassett.
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Overall pretty straightforward decisions on deadline day from the Rapids. I'd expect Rafael Santos to be back on a longer, potentially more expensive deal (contract would have been up after 2026).
I was surprised about Sam Bassett.
I was surprised about Sam Bassett.
RAPIDS ROSTER DECISIONS:
-Options exercised: Nico Hansen, Jackson Travis, Darren Yapi
-Options declined: Andreas Maxsø, Daouda Amadou, Sam Bassett, Michael Edwards, Nate Jones, Rafael Santos
-In discussions: Amadou, Calvin Harris (FA), Oli Larraz (FA), Santos
Reactions ⬇️
-Options exercised: Nico Hansen, Jackson Travis, Darren Yapi
-Options declined: Andreas Maxsø, Daouda Amadou, Sam Bassett, Michael Edwards, Nate Jones, Rafael Santos
-In discussions: Amadou, Calvin Harris (FA), Oli Larraz (FA), Santos
Reactions ⬇️
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
RAPIDS ROSTER DECISIONS:
-Options exercised: Nico Hansen, Jackson Travis, Darren Yapi
-Options declined: Andreas Maxsø, Daouda Amadou, Sam Bassett, Michael Edwards, Nate Jones, Rafael Santos
-In discussions: Amadou, Calvin Harris (FA), Oli Larraz (FA), Santos
Reactions ⬇️
-Options exercised: Nico Hansen, Jackson Travis, Darren Yapi
-Options declined: Andreas Maxsø, Daouda Amadou, Sam Bassett, Michael Edwards, Nate Jones, Rafael Santos
-In discussions: Amadou, Calvin Harris (FA), Oli Larraz (FA), Santos
Reactions ⬇️
Sources: The Colorado Rapids are in the final stages of the search for their next head coach. Goal obviously is to hire and announce before the end of the year but could be much sooner.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't expect anything this week.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't expect anything this week.
November 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Sources: The Colorado Rapids are in the final stages of the search for their next head coach. Goal obviously is to hire and announce before the end of the year but could be much sooner.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't expect anything this week.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't expect anything this week.
DU men's soccer loses to No. 8 Portland in penalties in the NCAA tournament second round, 2-2 (5-4).
Rounds out a WILD second round, where only the Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10 seeds survive out of the top 10. Onto the Sweet Sixteen.
Rounds out a WILD second round, where only the Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10 seeds survive out of the top 10. Onto the Sweet Sixteen.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 AM
DU men's soccer loses to No. 8 Portland in penalties in the NCAA tournament second round, 2-2 (5-4).
Rounds out a WILD second round, where only the Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10 seeds survive out of the top 10. Onto the Sweet Sixteen.
Rounds out a WILD second round, where only the Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10 seeds survive out of the top 10. Onto the Sweet Sixteen.
November 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Most true freshmen are redshirted at DU. Carlson sat the first half of this season until coaching staff couldn’t keep him off the field. DU plays at Portland, an hour from his hometown, this weekend. Portland beat DU earlier this season while Carlson still rode the bench.
Kai Carlson subs in, puts his head down and attacks after a too passive first half from the DU Pioneers. He created the opening goal on the way to a 2-0 win over UC Irvine in the NCAA Tournament first round.
How the true freshman worked for his moment:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/d...
How the true freshman worked for his moment:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/d...
DU Pioneers advance in NCAA men’s soccer tournament with shutout win over UC Irvine
From passive to pouncing, the Pioneers are marching on.
www.denverpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Most true freshmen are redshirted at DU. Carlson sat the first half of this season until coaching staff couldn’t keep him off the field. DU plays at Portland, an hour from his hometown, this weekend. Portland beat DU earlier this season while Carlson still rode the bench.
Kai Carlson subs in, puts his head down and attacks after a too passive first half from the DU Pioneers. He created the opening goal on the way to a 2-0 win over UC Irvine in the NCAA Tournament first round.
How the true freshman worked for his moment:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/d...
How the true freshman worked for his moment:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/d...
DU Pioneers advance in NCAA men’s soccer tournament with shutout win over UC Irvine
From passive to pouncing, the Pioneers are marching on.
www.denverpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Kai Carlson subs in, puts his head down and attacks after a too passive first half from the DU Pioneers. He created the opening goal on the way to a 2-0 win over UC Irvine in the NCAA Tournament first round.
How the true freshman worked for his moment:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/d...
How the true freshman worked for his moment:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/d...
FINAL: DU 2, UC Irvine 0. Pioneers move on thanks to goals from Kyle McGowan and Luke Schultz. Likely the last match of the season at DU Soccer Stadium. They'll play at No. 8 Portland on Sunday.
November 21, 2025 at 12:01 AM
FINAL: DU 2, UC Irvine 0. Pioneers move on thanks to goals from Kyle McGowan and Luke Schultz. Likely the last match of the season at DU Soccer Stadium. They'll play at No. 8 Portland on Sunday.
75' GOAL DU: Floodgates opening again after finally finding the net. This time it's Luke Schultz on the end of a Keegan Kelly assist. DU had been way too passive all day before Kai Carlson made the first goal happen. Two goals since.
2-0 Pioneers
2-0 Pioneers
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 PM
75' GOAL DU: Floodgates opening again after finally finding the net. This time it's Luke Schultz on the end of a Keegan Kelly assist. DU had been way too passive all day before Kai Carlson made the first goal happen. Two goals since.
2-0 Pioneers
2-0 Pioneers
71' GOAL DU! A chance like that had been coming for a while. Substitute Kai Carlson drives into space, finds Bryce Willoughby in the channel, who crosses it to Kyle McGowan for the goal. Took two tries, but he puts in a rebound.
1-0 Pioneers
1-0 Pioneers
November 20, 2025 at 11:39 PM
71' GOAL DU! A chance like that had been coming for a while. Substitute Kai Carlson drives into space, finds Bryce Willoughby in the channel, who crosses it to Kyle McGowan for the goal. Took two tries, but he puts in a rebound.
1-0 Pioneers
1-0 Pioneers
HALFTIME: Scoreless here at DU Soccer Stadium. Pioneers didn't have much possession for long stretches, which hasn't been typical. They did well with the possession they did have. UC Irvine has looked a bit more dangerous and have been the better team.
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM
HALFTIME: Scoreless here at DU Soccer Stadium. Pioneers didn't have much possession for long stretches, which hasn't been typical. They did well with the possession they did have. UC Irvine has looked a bit more dangerous and have been the better team.
DU Pioneers center back Grant Lund is a name to keep track of for the next few years. 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman, great positioning, flies around the back line and gets to every header.
November 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
DU Pioneers center back Grant Lund is a name to keep track of for the next few years. 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman, great positioning, flies around the back line and gets to every header.
Here at the DU Soccer Stadium for the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament. In honor of this (probably) being the last match here this season, enjoy Brad Franks pelting his players with soccer balls to the cheers of teammates:
November 20, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Here at the DU Soccer Stadium for the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament. In honor of this (probably) being the last match here this season, enjoy Brad Franks pelting his players with soccer balls to the cheers of teammates:
MLS Schedule Release: Rapids will host Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in April.
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/c...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/c...
MLS 2026 schedule release: Rapids to host Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in April
The world’s greatest soccer player will visit Commerce City in 2026.
www.denverpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
MLS Schedule Release: Rapids will host Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in April.
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/c...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/20/c...
DU men's soccer will host UC Irvine for opening round of NCAA Tournament on Thursday:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
DU Pioneers men’s soccer draws UC Irvine for NCAA Tournament opener
The University of Denver men’s soccer team will start its search for a third College Cup berth at home.
www.denverpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
DU men's soccer will host UC Irvine for opening round of NCAA Tournament on Thursday:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
FINAL: DU beats UMKC, 4-2, for the Summit League title! An early strike from Keegan Kelly, two penalties from Kyle McGowan and a rocket from Will King gives the Pioneers their first title since 2022 and an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
November 16, 2025 at 12:07 AM
FINAL: DU beats UMKC, 4-2, for the Summit League title! An early strike from Keegan Kelly, two penalties from Kyle McGowan and a rocket from Will King gives the Pioneers their first title since 2022 and an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
74' Goal UMKC: Jeremy Francou doubles his contribution and brings one back for the Roos with a great header off the bar and in. Kind of a wacky play. Air taken out of the stands with 16 minutes to go.
4-2 DU
4-2 DU
November 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
74' Goal UMKC: Jeremy Francou doubles his contribution and brings one back for the Roos with a great header off the bar and in. Kind of a wacky play. Air taken out of the stands with 16 minutes to go.
4-2 DU
4-2 DU
67' Goal DU! That should be the Summit League title. Kyle McGowan doubles up with his second penalty goal of the game. UMKC has been more present offensively this half, but DU turns this thing on its head.
4-1 DU
4-1 DU
November 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
67' Goal DU! That should be the Summit League title. Kyle McGowan doubles up with his second penalty goal of the game. UMKC has been more present offensively this half, but DU turns this thing on its head.
4-1 DU
4-1 DU
64' Goal DU! Will King gets his second of the season after carrying it three quarters of the field before unleashing a rocket to the top left corner. That's 3-1 Pios.
November 15, 2025 at 11:40 PM
64' Goal DU! Will King gets his second of the season after carrying it three quarters of the field before unleashing a rocket to the top left corner. That's 3-1 Pios.
60' Chance DU: Huge miss for DU. Bryce Willoughby gets out on the break, probably could have taken a shot but opts to pass to Keegan Kelly. Ball was great, but defender gets back in time to impact the Kelly shot. It remains 2-1 DU.
November 15, 2025 at 11:32 PM
60' Chance DU: Huge miss for DU. Bryce Willoughby gets out on the break, probably could have taken a shot but opts to pass to Keegan Kelly. Ball was great, but defender gets back in time to impact the Kelly shot. It remains 2-1 DU.