Braidon Nourse
@braidonnourse.bsky.social
Covering the Colorado Rapids and soccer in Colorado for The Denver Post. Questions? Story ideas? DMs open
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Braidon Nourse
@braidonnourse.bsky.social
· Aug 22
Paxten Aaronson on record move to Colorado Rapids: ‘It’ll challenge me as a young player’
Paxten Aaronson saw familiarity — and perhaps a home — in Colorado.
www.denverpost.com
Paxten Aaronson hopes to make Colorado his home. Familiarity with players and an instant connection with Chris Armas could make that easy.
On a new No. 10 for the Colorado Rapids:
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/22/p...
On a new No. 10 for the Colorado Rapids:
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/22/p...
DU men's soccer forward Keegan Kelly scored a perfect hat trick to beat Oral Roberts in Sunday's Summit League semi. After going scoreless all season, he has four in two games.
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
Keegan Kelly nets hat trick for DU Pioneers in Summit League semifinal win over Oral Roberts
A re-focused Keegan Kelly is built for November.
www.denverpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
DU men's soccer forward Keegan Kelly scored a perfect hat trick to beat Oral Roberts in Sunday's Summit League semi. After going scoreless all season, he has four in two games.
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
FINAL: DU 4, ORU 1. Keegan Kelly's perfect hat trick sends the Pioneers to the Summit League final next Saturday. Great response from the Pios to go from a goal down to three up.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
FINAL: DU 4, ORU 1. Keegan Kelly's perfect hat trick sends the Pioneers to the Summit League final next Saturday. Great response from the Pios to go from a goal down to three up.
89' KEEGAN KELLY HATTY! The New Zealand youth international gets a third if there was any doubt. Pios playing in the corner wasting time, but Willoughby finds an opening to find Kelly for a far post finish.
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
89' KEEGAN KELLY HATTY! The New Zealand youth international gets a third if there was any doubt. Pios playing in the corner wasting time, but Willoughby finds an opening to find Kelly for a far post finish.
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
87' GOAL DU! Keegan Kelly doubles the advantage and puts this semifinal to bed. The Pios have been sitting deep and absorbing pressure, but Kelly gets it on the break and buries his third of the week (and season).
3-1 DU
3-1 DU
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
87' GOAL DU! Keegan Kelly doubles the advantage and puts this semifinal to bed. The Pios have been sitting deep and absorbing pressure, but Kelly gets it on the break and buries his third of the week (and season).
3-1 DU
3-1 DU
68' GOAL DU! Holger Olson with a picture-perfect loft to Keegan Kelly, who heads in his second of the season. The sophomore scored the Summit League regular season title-clinching goal on Wednesday and may have just put the Pios in the final! Two DU goals in two minutes.
2-1
2-1
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
68' GOAL DU! Holger Olson with a picture-perfect loft to Keegan Kelly, who heads in his second of the season. The sophomore scored the Summit League regular season title-clinching goal on Wednesday and may have just put the Pios in the final! Two DU goals in two minutes.
2-1
2-1
67' GOAL DU: The dominance is rewarded with a set-piece finish by Bryce Willoughby. He gets on the end of the Pios' 13th (!) corner kick of the day. His fourth of the season. Game on!
1-1
1-1
November 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
67' GOAL DU: The dominance is rewarded with a set-piece finish by Bryce Willoughby. He gets on the end of the Pios' 13th (!) corner kick of the day. His fourth of the season. Game on!
1-1
1-1
HALFTIME: The DU Pioneers trail Oral Roberts, 1-0, in the Summit League semifinals. DU has been dominant. 72% possession, plenty of good-looking chances, but no final product. Very close on a couple occasions.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
November 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
HALFTIME: The DU Pioneers trail Oral Roberts, 1-0, in the Summit League semifinals. DU has been dominant. 72% possession, plenty of good-looking chances, but no final product. Very close on a couple occasions.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
38' GOAL ORU: The Golden Eagles convert from the spot from a PK they earned on a rare attacking chance. VAR spotted and confirmed the penalty. DU has been dominating but ORU finds a way. Isaac Nehme dove the right way but it goes by his fingertips.
1-0 ORU
1-0 ORU
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
38' GOAL ORU: The Golden Eagles convert from the spot from a PK they earned on a rare attacking chance. VAR spotted and confirmed the penalty. DU has been dominating but ORU finds a way. Isaac Nehme dove the right way but it goes by his fingertips.
1-0 ORU
1-0 ORU
Here at DU Soccer Stadium for the Summit League semifinal between the Pioneers and Oral Roberts.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
November 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Here at DU Soccer Stadium for the Summit League semifinal between the Pioneers and Oral Roberts.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
With their FIRST TOUCHES after subbing on, Wayne Frederick and Anthony Garcia combine to take the lead for Rapids 2!! What a game!!
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
With their FIRST TOUCHES after subbing on, Wayne Frederick and Anthony Garcia combine to take the lead for Rapids 2!! What a game!!
DU Pioneers men's soccer earns three major Summit League Awards:
OPOY: Kyle McGowan
DPOY: Trevor Wright
GKOY: Isaac Nehme
Seven others named to SL first-, second-team or honorable mention. Pios play in the Summit League semifinal at home tomorrow.
OPOY: Kyle McGowan
DPOY: Trevor Wright
GKOY: Isaac Nehme
Seven others named to SL first-, second-team or honorable mention. Pios play in the Summit League semifinal at home tomorrow.
November 8, 2025 at 5:29 PM
DU Pioneers men's soccer earns three major Summit League Awards:
OPOY: Kyle McGowan
DPOY: Trevor Wright
GKOY: Isaac Nehme
Seven others named to SL first-, second-team or honorable mention. Pios play in the Summit League semifinal at home tomorrow.
OPOY: Kyle McGowan
DPOY: Trevor Wright
GKOY: Isaac Nehme
Seven others named to SL first-, second-team or honorable mention. Pios play in the Summit League semifinal at home tomorrow.
INBOX: Colorado Rapids forward Darren Yapi and center back Noah Cobb have been called up to the U.S. U-21 squad for November camp.
This camp will be the first in the prep for the 2028 Olympics.
This camp will be the first in the prep for the 2028 Olympics.
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
INBOX: Colorado Rapids forward Darren Yapi and center back Noah Cobb have been called up to the U.S. U-21 squad for November camp.
This camp will be the first in the prep for the 2028 Olympics.
This camp will be the first in the prep for the 2028 Olympics.
Sydney Wathuta lasered a cross to James Cameron for the winning goal in last night’s MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference final. Two years ago, a lanky freshman at Vermont couldn’t have imagined the apexes he’s now crossed.
“He’s got magical feet.”
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/03/s...
“He’s got magical feet.”
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/03/s...
Sydney Wathuta’s calm, precision tempering Rapids 2’s run to MLS NEXT Pro Cup final
A year removed from winning a national title at Vermont, Sydney Wathuta is one of the best-kept secrets in MLS NEXT Pro for Colorado Rapids 2.
www.denverpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Sydney Wathuta lasered a cross to James Cameron for the winning goal in last night’s MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference final. Two years ago, a lanky freshman at Vermont couldn’t have imagined the apexes he’s now crossed.
“He’s got magical feet.”
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/03/s...
“He’s got magical feet.”
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/03/s...
Tonight's attendance at R2 to witness a Western Conference title: 1,291
November 3, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Tonight's attendance at R2 to witness a Western Conference title: 1,291
64' James Cameron for the lead!! Rapids 2 take a quick throw-in to Sydney Wathuta, who beams a cross to Cameron for a header. Open at the back post. That thing was lasered at his head lol
2-1 R2
2-1 R2
November 3, 2025 at 2:59 AM
64' James Cameron for the lead!! Rapids 2 take a quick throw-in to Sydney Wathuta, who beams a cross to Cameron for a header. Open at the back post. That thing was lasered at his head lol
2-1 R2
2-1 R2
50' Alex Harris with the equalizer! Positive start to the second half possession-wise, then the Ivy League Messi gets a ball from Sam Bassett into the channel, takes a touch and sneaks one to the far post. Keeper probably didn't expect a shot there.
1-1
1-1
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 AM
50' Alex Harris with the equalizer! Positive start to the second half possession-wise, then the Ivy League Messi gets a ball from Sam Bassett into the channel, takes a touch and sneaks one to the far post. Keeper probably didn't expect a shot there.
1-1
1-1
Colorado native Logan Dorsey scores for Minnesota United II in the 20th minute.
November 3, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Colorado native Logan Dorsey scores for Minnesota United II in the 20th minute.
All the stops being pulled out for Rapids 2 tonight. They’re playing for a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro final against Minnesota United II. They fell at this stage in this building two years ago.
November 3, 2025 at 1:37 AM
All the stops being pulled out for Rapids 2 tonight. They’re playing for a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro final against Minnesota United II. They fell at this stage in this building two years ago.
Kevin Demoff: there’s “no correlation” between salary spending and winning. Is that true?
Teams in the top half of salary spending finish 13th in MLS on average. Bottom half spending: 18th. Without PHI and ATL outliers: 12th, 20th.
Above play-in vs. missing playoffs entirely. COL 23rd in spending.
Teams in the top half of salary spending finish 13th in MLS on average. Bottom half spending: 18th. Without PHI and ATL outliers: 12th, 20th.
Above play-in vs. missing playoffs entirely. COL 23rd in spending.
Can the Colorado Rapids moneyball their way to MLS title contention? Is Pádraig Smith on the hot seat? Can better cooperation between the club and KSE usher a new era to Commerce City?
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
Kevin Demoff shares grand vision for Rapids while backing president Pádraig Smith: ‘This club should be competing for titles’
Colorado Rapids president Padraig Smith and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment executive Kevin Demoff promised brighter days ahead. Should fans believe them?
www.denverpost.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Kevin Demoff: there’s “no correlation” between salary spending and winning. Is that true?
Teams in the top half of salary spending finish 13th in MLS on average. Bottom half spending: 18th. Without PHI and ATL outliers: 12th, 20th.
Above play-in vs. missing playoffs entirely. COL 23rd in spending.
Teams in the top half of salary spending finish 13th in MLS on average. Bottom half spending: 18th. Without PHI and ATL outliers: 12th, 20th.
Above play-in vs. missing playoffs entirely. COL 23rd in spending.
Reposted by Braidon Nourse
Fantastic #Rapids96 article by Braidon.
We weighed in, with @5280keith.bsky.social, on this week’s episode, about The Rapids Way Forward™️.
Homegrown Hope: HC Erik Bushey & CSO John Hackworth
Paxten Pairing: HC Ryan Richter & CSO Tommy Wilson
Water Gunners: HC Kwame Ampadu & CSO Per Mertesacker
We weighed in, with @5280keith.bsky.social, on this week’s episode, about The Rapids Way Forward™️.
Homegrown Hope: HC Erik Bushey & CSO John Hackworth
Paxten Pairing: HC Ryan Richter & CSO Tommy Wilson
Water Gunners: HC Kwame Ampadu & CSO Per Mertesacker
Can the Colorado Rapids moneyball their way to MLS title contention? Is Pádraig Smith on the hot seat? Can better cooperation between the club and KSE usher a new era to Commerce City?
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
Kevin Demoff shares grand vision for Rapids while backing president Pádraig Smith: ‘This club should be competing for titles’
Colorado Rapids president Padraig Smith and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment executive Kevin Demoff promised brighter days ahead. Should fans believe them?
www.denverpost.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Fantastic #Rapids96 article by Braidon.
We weighed in, with @5280keith.bsky.social, on this week’s episode, about The Rapids Way Forward™️.
Homegrown Hope: HC Erik Bushey & CSO John Hackworth
Paxten Pairing: HC Ryan Richter & CSO Tommy Wilson
Water Gunners: HC Kwame Ampadu & CSO Per Mertesacker
We weighed in, with @5280keith.bsky.social, on this week’s episode, about The Rapids Way Forward™️.
Homegrown Hope: HC Erik Bushey & CSO John Hackworth
Paxten Pairing: HC Ryan Richter & CSO Tommy Wilson
Water Gunners: HC Kwame Ampadu & CSO Per Mertesacker
Can the Colorado Rapids moneyball their way to MLS title contention? Is Pádraig Smith on the hot seat? Can better cooperation between the club and KSE usher a new era to Commerce City?
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
Kevin Demoff shares grand vision for Rapids while backing president Pádraig Smith: ‘This club should be competing for titles’
Colorado Rapids president Padraig Smith and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment executive Kevin Demoff promised brighter days ahead. Should fans believe them?
www.denverpost.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Can the Colorado Rapids moneyball their way to MLS title contention? Is Pádraig Smith on the hot seat? Can better cooperation between the club and KSE usher a new era to Commerce City?
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
My attempt at answering those questions:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/02/r...
Andreas Maxsø won't return to the Colorado Rapids. Here's a bit of a dive into his statistical impact with the Rapids. Plus, Homegrown midfielder Oli Larraz may test free agency:
www.denverpost.com/2025/10/31/a...
www.denverpost.com/2025/10/31/a...
Andreas Maxsø won’t return to Rapids, club president Pádraig Smith says
The Great Dane’s time in Colorado is over, and a midfield mainstay may follow suit.
www.denverpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Andreas Maxsø won't return to the Colorado Rapids. Here's a bit of a dive into his statistical impact with the Rapids. Plus, Homegrown midfielder Oli Larraz may test free agency:
www.denverpost.com/2025/10/31/a...
www.denverpost.com/2025/10/31/a...
Nine University of Denver sports are reported to have accepted a move to the West Coast Conference. Fully expecting men’s and women’s soccer to be a part of the move.
October 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Nine University of Denver sports are reported to have accepted a move to the West Coast Conference. Fully expecting men’s and women’s soccer to be a part of the move.
"This club should be competing for titles." -Kevin Demoff
October 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
"This club should be competing for titles." -Kevin Demoff
Andreas Maxsø will leave the Colorado Rapids this offseason, Pádraig Smith says.
October 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Andreas Maxsø will leave the Colorado Rapids this offseason, Pádraig Smith says.