Brendan Ploen
@brendanploen.bsky.social
Staff reporter for @burgundywave.bsky.social covering the #Rapids96 and #ColoradoSoccer based in Chicago. Previously: The Denver Post and The Durango Herald. | Marquette University alum |
As it stands, Colorado is below the playoff line. Woof. Big woof.
October 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
As it stands, Colorado is below the playoff line. Woof. Big woof.
We did and our group of 5 all thought it was a phenomenal! For me, I’d say it’s one of the best museums I’ve been to. Plus, we managed to catch an actual Laker heading to port in Sault Ste. Marie. Even with all the sudden collapses we learned about, still a great day.
August 31, 2025 at 2:58 AM
We did and our group of 5 all thought it was a phenomenal! For me, I’d say it’s one of the best museums I’ve been to. Plus, we managed to catch an actual Laker heading to port in Sault Ste. Marie. Even with all the sudden collapses we learned about, still a great day.
Hallowed grounds:
-Dirks Field @ Fort Lewis College. Durango, CO (Elevation: 6,876 feet). Capacity: 2,000. FLC has 3 NCAA D2 titles.
-Bar: The British Bulldog
-Youth clubs: Rush; Storm and Real. Rapids YSC has come a long way, though.
-Urban legend: Super Yosuke Hanya. Switchbacks & R2 gem.
-Dirks Field @ Fort Lewis College. Durango, CO (Elevation: 6,876 feet). Capacity: 2,000. FLC has 3 NCAA D2 titles.
-Bar: The British Bulldog
-Youth clubs: Rush; Storm and Real. Rapids YSC has come a long way, though.
-Urban legend: Super Yosuke Hanya. Switchbacks & R2 gem.
August 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Hallowed grounds:
-Dirks Field @ Fort Lewis College. Durango, CO (Elevation: 6,876 feet). Capacity: 2,000. FLC has 3 NCAA D2 titles.
-Bar: The British Bulldog
-Youth clubs: Rush; Storm and Real. Rapids YSC has come a long way, though.
-Urban legend: Super Yosuke Hanya. Switchbacks & R2 gem.
-Dirks Field @ Fort Lewis College. Durango, CO (Elevation: 6,876 feet). Capacity: 2,000. FLC has 3 NCAA D2 titles.
-Bar: The British Bulldog
-Youth clubs: Rush; Storm and Real. Rapids YSC has come a long way, though.
-Urban legend: Super Yosuke Hanya. Switchbacks & R2 gem.
Here's a look at the first-team roster for defenders. Not to mention 4 SuperDraft defenders waiting in the wings with R2, the back line is already quite busy. Personally, I feel that bringing in a 29-year-old Premier League defender will be beneficial, but only for so long.
July 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Here's a look at the first-team roster for defenders. Not to mention 4 SuperDraft defenders waiting in the wings with R2, the back line is already quite busy. Personally, I feel that bringing in a 29-year-old Premier League defender will be beneficial, but only for so long.
JUST IN: Denver NWSL finalizes its ownership group. Final additions: Randi Borgen, Cordillera Investment Partners, the Soin Family, Brooke Woody and For Denver FC Capital Partners.
Bottom line, that's a TON of people & capital.
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
Bottom line, that's a TON of people & capital.
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
June 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
JUST IN: Denver NWSL finalizes its ownership group. Final additions: Randi Borgen, Cordillera Investment Partners, the Soin Family, Brooke Woody and For Denver FC Capital Partners.
Bottom line, that's a TON of people & capital.
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
Bottom line, that's a TON of people & capital.
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
Denver NWSL has its first-ever team president: Jen Millet.
A Denver native, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Bay FC, the most-recent expansion side.
She was also the CMO for the Golden State Warriors.
We'll learn a lot more about how she'll build the front office soon. #ColoradoSoccer
A Denver native, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Bay FC, the most-recent expansion side.
She was also the CMO for the Golden State Warriors.
We'll learn a lot more about how she'll build the front office soon. #ColoradoSoccer
April 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Denver NWSL has its first-ever team president: Jen Millet.
A Denver native, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Bay FC, the most-recent expansion side.
She was also the CMO for the Golden State Warriors.
We'll learn a lot more about how she'll build the front office soon. #ColoradoSoccer
A Denver native, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Bay FC, the most-recent expansion side.
She was also the CMO for the Golden State Warriors.
We'll learn a lot more about how she'll build the front office soon. #ColoradoSoccer
FIRST LOOK: Denver NWSL has officially released its plans for a training facility, a 12,000-seat temporary stadium and permanent club headquarters in Centennial, with a partnership with Cherry Creek School District.
Initial renderings & the press release:
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
Initial renderings & the press release:
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
March 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
FIRST LOOK: Denver NWSL has officially released its plans for a training facility, a 12,000-seat temporary stadium and permanent club headquarters in Centennial, with a partnership with Cherry Creek School District.
Initial renderings & the press release:
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
Initial renderings & the press release:
#ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
Oh, we’re back in Bridgeview!
The Chicago Stars take on the Houston Dash in Chicago’s home opener. Ally Schlegel gets the start in attack. Mallory Swanson has an excused absence.
Rookie goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz did not make the matchday squad. @burgundywave.bsky.social #ColoradoSoccer
The Chicago Stars take on the Houston Dash in Chicago’s home opener. Ally Schlegel gets the start in attack. Mallory Swanson has an excused absence.
Rookie goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz did not make the matchday squad. @burgundywave.bsky.social #ColoradoSoccer
March 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Oh, we’re back in Bridgeview!
The Chicago Stars take on the Houston Dash in Chicago’s home opener. Ally Schlegel gets the start in attack. Mallory Swanson has an excused absence.
Rookie goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz did not make the matchday squad. @burgundywave.bsky.social #ColoradoSoccer
The Chicago Stars take on the Houston Dash in Chicago’s home opener. Ally Schlegel gets the start in attack. Mallory Swanson has an excused absence.
Rookie goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz did not make the matchday squad. @burgundywave.bsky.social #ColoradoSoccer
Two distinct land plans for #ColoradoSoccer pro teams:
1) DSGP (2007): 917-acre footprint w/23 fields, a sea of parking lots & zero public transportation in Commerce City. MLS 1.5 era.
2) Today: 14-acre lot, 3.5 acre park in Denver proper, light rail & trail adjacent. Denver NWSL took notes. #NWSL
1) DSGP (2007): 917-acre footprint w/23 fields, a sea of parking lots & zero public transportation in Commerce City. MLS 1.5 era.
2) Today: 14-acre lot, 3.5 acre park in Denver proper, light rail & trail adjacent. Denver NWSL took notes. #NWSL
March 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Two distinct land plans for #ColoradoSoccer pro teams:
1) DSGP (2007): 917-acre footprint w/23 fields, a sea of parking lots & zero public transportation in Commerce City. MLS 1.5 era.
2) Today: 14-acre lot, 3.5 acre park in Denver proper, light rail & trail adjacent. Denver NWSL took notes. #NWSL
1) DSGP (2007): 917-acre footprint w/23 fields, a sea of parking lots & zero public transportation in Commerce City. MLS 1.5 era.
2) Today: 14-acre lot, 3.5 acre park in Denver proper, light rail & trail adjacent. Denver NWSL took notes. #NWSL
JUST IN: Denver NWSL has unveiled its stadium plans to build a purpose-built stadium at Santa Fe Yards (Broadway and I-25). Capacity will be 14,500 with the expectation to open in the spring of 2028. #ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
March 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
JUST IN: Denver NWSL has unveiled its stadium plans to build a purpose-built stadium at Santa Fe Yards (Broadway and I-25). Capacity will be 14,500 with the expectation to open in the spring of 2028. #ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
NEW: Denver NWSL leadership team + Mayor Mike Johnston will make "a historic announcement for Denver NWSL & the future of women's pro sports in Colorado" at an event on Tuesday, March 18th. Event will be at the Girls Athletic Leadership School on Galapago Street in Denver. #ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
March 17, 2025 at 3:22 PM
NEW: Denver NWSL leadership team + Mayor Mike Johnston will make "a historic announcement for Denver NWSL & the future of women's pro sports in Colorado" at an event on Tuesday, March 18th. Event will be at the Girls Athletic Leadership School on Galapago Street in Denver. #ColoradoSoccer #NWSL
The Nightcap in St. Louis: Rapids 0, STL City 0 to open the 2025 MLS Season.
This stadium delivered with all the bells and whistles, and then some. Awesome to be back in a press box covering MLS again. Just one of those days where I realize how lucky I am to cover the best sport and community.
This stadium delivered with all the bells and whistles, and then some. Awesome to be back in a press box covering MLS again. Just one of those days where I realize how lucky I am to cover the best sport and community.
February 23, 2025 at 6:27 AM
The Nightcap in St. Louis: Rapids 0, STL City 0 to open the 2025 MLS Season.
This stadium delivered with all the bells and whistles, and then some. Awesome to be back in a press box covering MLS again. Just one of those days where I realize how lucky I am to cover the best sport and community.
This stadium delivered with all the bells and whistles, and then some. Awesome to be back in a press box covering MLS again. Just one of those days where I realize how lucky I am to cover the best sport and community.
It’s been a great day in St. Louis so far.
Dare I say it, but toasted ravioli is a contender for best appetizer in the Midwest.
Also, Gateway Arch surprised me, it’s a very cool National Park. #Rapids96 game coming up in a few hours.
Dare I say it, but toasted ravioli is a contender for best appetizer in the Midwest.
Also, Gateway Arch surprised me, it’s a very cool National Park. #Rapids96 game coming up in a few hours.
February 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It’s been a great day in St. Louis so far.
Dare I say it, but toasted ravioli is a contender for best appetizer in the Midwest.
Also, Gateway Arch surprised me, it’s a very cool National Park. #Rapids96 game coming up in a few hours.
Dare I say it, but toasted ravioli is a contender for best appetizer in the Midwest.
Also, Gateway Arch surprised me, it’s a very cool National Park. #Rapids96 game coming up in a few hours.
Try picking a starting XI out of this group of 17 Coloradans on active NWSL rosters lol.
Aside from GK, it's quite a difficult exercise considering that 10 of them have at least 1 senior national team cap under their belts (!!) ... I'm convinced this squad could do damage at the EURO's.
Aside from GK, it's quite a difficult exercise considering that 10 of them have at least 1 senior national team cap under their belts (!!) ... I'm convinced this squad could do damage at the EURO's.
January 30, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Try picking a starting XI out of this group of 17 Coloradans on active NWSL rosters lol.
Aside from GK, it's quite a difficult exercise considering that 10 of them have at least 1 senior national team cap under their belts (!!) ... I'm convinced this squad could do damage at the EURO's.
Aside from GK, it's quite a difficult exercise considering that 10 of them have at least 1 senior national team cap under their belts (!!) ... I'm convinced this squad could do damage at the EURO's.
Just received this media notice. It's happening, y'all. The #NWSL is coming to Denver, Colorado. #ColoradoSoccer
January 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Just received this media notice. It's happening, y'all. The #NWSL is coming to Denver, Colorado. #ColoradoSoccer
It's happening. I’ve gotta imagine this is where the good news will be made official to the local & statewide audience, Denver is confirmed as the next NWSL expansion city.
Mark it on your calendars: For Denver FC supporter rally, 5 p.m. Thursday, January 30th at Number 38 in Denver. #ColoradoSoccer
Mark it on your calendars: For Denver FC supporter rally, 5 p.m. Thursday, January 30th at Number 38 in Denver. #ColoradoSoccer
January 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
It's happening. I’ve gotta imagine this is where the good news will be made official to the local & statewide audience, Denver is confirmed as the next NWSL expansion city.
Mark it on your calendars: For Denver FC supporter rally, 5 p.m. Thursday, January 30th at Number 38 in Denver. #ColoradoSoccer
Mark it on your calendars: For Denver FC supporter rally, 5 p.m. Thursday, January 30th at Number 38 in Denver. #ColoradoSoccer
A first glance at the front page of The Denver Post this morning:
December 18, 2024 at 3:07 PM
A first glance at the front page of The Denver Post this morning:
*Migrates over to BlueSky*
Sees a feed with no bots but plenty of local news from Chicago & Denver, while also discovering feeds that contain urbanism, college football chaos, doggos & not to mention my fellow soccer reporter colleagues are on here??
Happy to be with y'all, BlueSky Sickos.
Sees a feed with no bots but plenty of local news from Chicago & Denver, while also discovering feeds that contain urbanism, college football chaos, doggos & not to mention my fellow soccer reporter colleagues are on here??
Happy to be with y'all, BlueSky Sickos.
November 13, 2024 at 3:15 PM
*Migrates over to BlueSky*
Sees a feed with no bots but plenty of local news from Chicago & Denver, while also discovering feeds that contain urbanism, college football chaos, doggos & not to mention my fellow soccer reporter colleagues are on here??
Happy to be with y'all, BlueSky Sickos.
Sees a feed with no bots but plenty of local news from Chicago & Denver, while also discovering feeds that contain urbanism, college football chaos, doggos & not to mention my fellow soccer reporter colleagues are on here??
Happy to be with y'all, BlueSky Sickos.