By Braidon Nourse | braidonnourse@gmail.com | Special to The Denver Post
Colorado Rapids center back Michael Edwards will get a chance to crack the rotation in 2025.
The club announced Monday that it re-signed the 24-year-old to a one-year deal with an option for 2026.
His previous contract had an option for 2025, which was declined in November. With more center backs inbound than outbound on a team already heavy in defensive numbers, the move indicates Edwards will have another shot at more minutes this year.
The Homegrown, who had to wait nearly three-and-a-half seasons since signing with the Rapids to make his debut, made the most of his 207 minutes in 2024. He made his first MLS appearance in May against San Jose, in which he logged nine minutes.
His first start was in July, when he played 86 minutes in a 4-1 win at home over St. Louis CITY. A pair of ferocious and well-timed slide tackles -- followed by fist pumps toward the crowd -- made him an instant fan-favorite. During his only other start, a 90-minute feature in a 4-1 road loss to Sporting Kansas City, he opened his scoring account with a beautiful back-heel on a corner late in the match.
His impact was felt at times in the locker room in 2024, too. He's a model for putting in the work behind the scenes and has provided support for teammates, most notably 20-year-old forward Darren Yapi, who had to wait as agonizingly long to score his first MLS goal as Edwards did for his first MLS action.
In fact, Edwards' first start came during the same match when Yapi finally put one in the back of the net. The morning of the match -- the club's only Sunday game of the year -- Edwards told Yapi: "Come to church with me and you're going to score today." Yapi obliged and the two had an unforgettable night. "That was so special," Edwards said afterward.
After the Rapids spent more than $1 million to acquire center backs Chidozie Awaziem and Ian Murphy from FC Cincinnati -- and said goodbye to longtime fan favorite center back Lalas Abubakar, who recently signed with FC Dallas -- the club now has six center backs to rotate in 2025. Those include:
The Rapids officially reported for preseason Saturday to undergo fitness tests and light training. Tuesday, they'll fly to Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, for three closed-door friendlies against lower-tier Mexican competition over the next two weeks.
From there, they'll head to Florida for two more closed-door friendlies before opening the 2025 schedule with a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against LAFC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Tuesday, Feb. 18.