Abraham Rodriguez’s Rise has a Bright Future

The goalkeeper is the heartbeat of any soccer team. He’s the man protecting the posts behind his defense, but he often goes under the radar. The attackers get the goals that grab the glory, leaving the keeper as something of an unsung hero.

One young player looking to make a name for himself is Abraham Rodriguez. Currently a backup keeper at the Colorado Rapids, he is progressing well, and many are predicting a bright future for Colorado’s number 26.

Rapids’ Slump

Rodriguez is hoping for an extended run in the Rapids’ first team before the end of the current MLS season. He has to battle for his place, but Colorado could certainly use some reinforcements. After 18 matches of their current campaign, MLS standings show the Rapids at the very bottom of the Western Conference.

Playoff hopes are virtually zero at the halfway point and, while Colorado sports betting is growing in the latino markets, there will be little support for Rodriguez, despite his Mexican origins.

Current MLS odds show Los Angeles FC and Cincinnati as the current favorites for MLS Cup glory in 2023. Colorado Rapids, meanwhile, have effectively been ruled out of contention for the postseason. 

For franchises such as the Rapids, it’s all about regrouping for next season. The owners and coaching staff will need to consider new players, so is this the time to give Abraham Rodriguez his chance?

Rodriguez’s Rise

Born in Thornton, Colorado in 2002, Abraham Rodriguez has spent his entire soccer career with the Rapids. He developed through the academy system and was loaned out to neighboring USL side the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in 2019.

The goalkeeper made his debut for the Switchbacks at the age of just 16. Rodriguez delivered some impressive performances and was player of the week in Gameweek 4 of the 2019 USL season.

The stopper came back to Colorado Rapids at the start of the 2022 MLS season. He’s since been a regular player for the second team, as he waits patiently for a chance at the highest level. To date, Abraham Rodriguez has played just one senior game for the Rapids, but that impressive rise through the junior ranks suggests a positive future.

His debut for the senior side came at the age of 16. Having started on the bench against Portland, he came on for the injured William Yarborough at half time. Four years later, he’s still waiting for a repeat.

Struggles in Defense

Those MLS Standings show that Colorado have conceded 27 goals from their first 18 regular season games. There are issues across the pitch, but that’s one of the worst records in the league and it hints at a suspect defense.

The Rapids’ first choice goalkeeper is William Yarborough who played in 15 of his team’s opening 18 matches. Head Coach Robin Fraser clearly wasn’t happy with Yarborough’s performances as he has recently been benched in favor of second choice Marko Ilic.

These are the men standing in the way of Abraham Rodriguez and a place in the Colorado Rapids’ first team. If, as expected, it becomes mathematically impossible for the roster to make it to the postseason, this will surely offer a perfect opportunity for Rodriguez to come into the starting XI.

The coaching staff may feel that they don’t want to expose him too early in a team with such a weak defense. It could potentially lead to a drop in confidence if the player concedes too many goals, but Rodriguez may just have the quality and the temperament to cope.

What Next for Abraham Rodriguez?

Abraham Rodriguez’s performances at a junior level suggest that Colorado Rapids have one of the best young goalkeeping talents around. He was impressive in the USL at such a young age, and has since made some spectacular contributions to Colorado Rapids 2.

He’s still only 20, but he may soon have a difficult decision to make about his future career. Does he continue to remain patient at his current club, or is it time to move on from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park?

Much could depend on what happens between now and the end of the regular MLS season. If Rodriguez makes appearances in the first team, it shows that the Rapids are serious about developing one of the brightest young talents in soccer. If, however, he remains in reserve, it could be time to look elsewhere for opportunities.

While there is a long future ahead of him, Abe Rodriguez may not have a better opportunity to enjoy an extended run at Colorado Rapids. The first team are struggling at the foot of their Conference, so why not give youth a chance? If they don’t take the gamble, Colorado run the risk of losing one of the best young goalkeepers in world soccer.