Rapids part ways with Price, Rubio
The Colorado Rapids have begun their offseason makeover.
First, the team announced Thursday afternoon that captain Jack Price would not have his option for the 2024 season renewed. Then, an hour later, the club disclosed it did not intend to re-sign Chilean striker Diego Rubio, clearing the way for him to enter MLS free agency.
Neither announcement came as a surprise after both players revealed on social media over the weekend that they were not returning in 2024.
Team president Pádraig Smith issued a statement calling Price the “heartbeat of our team.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to Jack for everything he brought to our club over the last six years,” Smith said. “He was a selfless leader both on and off the pitch, quickly becoming the heartbeat of our team and a vital contributor to the success we saw during his time here. We wish him nothing but the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.”
Price, 30, announced on social media Sunday, the day after the regular season ended, that he will not be returning. Price has dealt with significant injuries in the last two seasons and rarely saw the pitch because of it. He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon four days into the 2023 campaign, ending what ended up being his final season in Colorado.
Price took to Instagram to express gratitude for his time as a Burgundy Boy: “6 years has flown by!! Best decision I ever made coming to Colorado. Met some unbelievable people and a lot of them now friends for life!!”
Af fectionally known as “Shropshire Pirlo” by fans, Price was instrumental in helping Colorado reach postseason appearances in 2020 and ‘21, the latter of which saw the Rapids top the Western Conference standings. In 2019, he became the first Rapids player since 2010 to record double- digit assists in a single season. His 35 assists are second-most in club history, and he played over 10,000 minutes for the Rapids.
Rubio, 30, joined Colorado five seasons ago and made 114 appearances and 97 starts, notching 38 goals and 26 assists. He departs as the club leader in game-winning goals (14), and sits at No. 4 in MLS goals scored and sixth in assists. His best season came in 2022 when he set the single-season club record for most goal contributions with 23 and tied the single-season goal mark with 16.
“We’re thankful to Diego for everything he contributed to the club during his five seasons in Burgundy and wish him all the best as he moves on to the next stage of his career,” Smith said in a news release.
Known for playing with passion, Rubio could conjure up goals seemingly out of nothing to lead his side back into games or steal wins late. He was the viewed as the team’s go-to offensive catalyst since 2021, but injuries this season led to him missing considerable time.
The Rapids still have to decide on options on eight other players, including goalkeeper William Yarbrough, Calvin Harris, Andrew Gutman, Danny Wilson and Steven Beitashour, as well as Homegrown Players Oli Larraz, Sebastian Anderson and Abraham Rodriguez.