Namli, Benezet facing injuries ahead of debut
Younes Namli couldn’t help but comment on the chilly, windy weather Tuesday.
It was only the third day the recently signed Rapids midfielder spent in Denver metro, and the temperature didn’t rise above freezing.
“I just hope the weather changes quick,” he said laughing. “But otherwise it’s been nice, I’m really excited to give the city a good year.”
Namli and the Rapids returned to the Front Range over the weekend following a month training in Southern California. The 25-year-old came to Colorado on a two-year loan with an option to buy this winter, becoming the sixth Designated Player (DP) in club history. If everything goes according to plan, he will debut at D.C. United this Saturday in the season opener.
“He adds a level of composure on the ball and experience and awareness, in addition to the ability to beat people,” Rapids coach Robin Fraser said. “And he’s a really good passer.”
Namli joined preseason a few weeks late as visa issues were being ironed out. He and Nicolas Benezet, another offseason acquisition, are both overcoming minor injuries in advance of their first season with the team. Namli nicked up his ankle in the final days of preseason and Benezet had his nose broken in a friendly.
“We are where we should be for week one,” Fraser said. “We’re going to get much better. But we’re on track right now. … (Benezet)’s settling in great with the team, the personalities of all them meshed, and one of the really fun things about this team is that they function as a team, and both guys have come in right away and worked hard and they fit right in.”
Benezet, 29, is a talented winger who was a member of Toronto FC’s MLS Cup run last year. He adds another scoring option for the Rapids as a top-end winger, while Namli offers a permanent solution to the revolving door that has been an attacking midfielder.
Together, the two will look to diversify a Rapids attack that made strides in 2019, especially on set pieces, but still has room to grow.
“I don’t think they’re gonna change the identity, I think they’re going to enhance what we do,” Fraser said.
Footnotes. The Rapids announced Tuesday that they will retire jersey No. 25 for Pablo Mastroeni on July 4. The midfielder captained the Rapids to their 2010 MLS Cup victory, played on the USMNT and later served as the club’s head coach from 2014 to 2017. The club will also host a 1996 throwback night Aug. 1 and a celebration of their 2010 Championship for its 10th anniversary during the club’s first-ever match against Nashville SC. The expansion side is coached by Gary Smith, who served as the Rapids’ head coach when they won that MLS Cup.