After missing the playoffs and suffering a 14-game winless streak down the streatch, the Colorado Rapids are ready to make at least one major change to club’s roster in 2015.
Club president Tim Hinchey told the SB Nation Burgundy Wave blog this week that the Rapids will bring in a second Designated Player ahead of next season in an attempt to turn the club around.
“We are certainly going to bring in another Designated Player, without question,” Hinchey said. “I'm not going to attempt to quantify that kind of spending. I don't envision that kind of [Toronto FC] spending, but are we going to spend real money? Absolutely.”
Panamanian striker Gabriel Torres is currently the Rapids' lone Designated Player. Expected to carry the load, he managed just three goals in 23 appearances this season.
Hinchey also said that technical director Paul Bravo has recently spent time with three “quality clubs” overseas as the team scouts their next big signing, and that the Rapids are looking for more out of their relationship with English Premier League side Arsenal.
Both the Rapids and Arsenal are owned by Denver businessman Stan Kroenke.
“The first part is scouting. Sharing resources. We've never really done that before and we're excited about it,” Hinchey said. “Secondly, it's working with them to find out which players may not be a long-term fit for Arsenal and whether we can have a look under the hood before they put them out on loan or sell them to another club.”
In the interview with Burgundy Wave, Hinchey also discussed the Rapids coaching staff, including potential new hires, and the supporters' public displays of discontent after the Rapids’ disappointing 2014 season
