COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have signed defender Steven Beitashour to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, the club announced today.
“Steven is one of the most decorated and experienced defenders in our league,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “His leadership and versatility contributed greatly to our conference-topping season in 2021 and we look forward to welcoming him back for another year in Burgundy.”
Beitashour, 34, appeared in 11 matches for Colorado in 2021, his first full season with the club, while adding two assists as the Rapids earned a club-record 61 points and finished atop the Western Conference for the first time in their history. The fullback originally signed with Colorado in September 2020.
Prior to joining the Rapids, Beitashour spent two seasons with LAFC, playing 25 matches as the Black & Gold won the Supporters’ Shield and set what was then an MLS-record 72 points in 2019.
In 2017, Beitashour played 22 games for Toronto FC as the Reds completed a historic, treble-winning season, capturing the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship alongside current Rapids teammates Clint Irwin and Drew Moor, as well as current Rapids head coach Robin Fraser, who was an assistant in Toronto. Overall, he played in 51 regular season matches for Toronto across two seasons, as well as 11 MLS Cup Playoff matches as Toronto reached consecutive MLS Cup Finals.
Beitashour started his career with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2010 and went on to win the 2012 Supporters’ Shield during his four seasons with the Californian side. He then moved to Vancouver Whitecaps FC where he played 54 regular season games across two seasons and won the first of his three Canadian Championships. Since 2010, Beitashour has recorded five goals and 38 assists across 258 career regular season matches.
Born in California to Iranian parents, Beitashour has earned six senior international caps for Iran and was selected to the 23-man roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign defender Steven Beitashour to a one-year contract on January 7, 2022.
Steven Beitashour
Pronunciation: BAY-tuh-shoor
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Weight: 172
Birthdate: February 1, 1987
Birthplace: San Jose, CA
Nationality: United States, Iran
