With the players set to report for the start of the 2013 preseason on January 17 - the same day as the MLS SuperDraft - ColoradoRapids.com will be taking a look at the depth chart at each position, based on the formation the team utilized for the last portion of last year.
Right Back:
This is another position that will see a new player in 2013, along with left back. Kosuke Kimura began there last year, but was traded after losing his position to Hunter Freeman. Freeman was claimed in the re-entry draft by New England, and the team did not go searching for a replacement. Instead, Oscar Pareja will be relying on veteran Brian Mullan and Marvell Wynne here, with youngster Davy Armstrong also looking to get playing time.
Mullan, who has made his name in MLS as a right-sided midfielder, filled on a right back at times last year. His only experience with the U.S. National Team was also as a right back, so he's more then ready to step in. Wynne had been a right back for his first years in MLS, even making the U.S. National Team from that position. He shifted to the middle of the defense once he was acquired by the Rapids. And Armstrong, after a couple of years of being used all over the field, finally settled at right back last year, and made his MLS debut in the season finale. He's still gaining experience on the flank, and having guys like Mullan and Wynne to observe could expidite his progress.
Here's a scenario: Say either Anthony Wallace or Chris Klute show they are ready to man the left side. If so, then Drew Moor and Diego Calderon could control the middle. This would leave Wynne to move back out wide right. If Calderon plays on the left, Wynne partners with Moor in the center, leaving the right side to Mullan.
And like other positions on the backline, Drew Moor backs this up, too. He started his MLS career there, also, and has shifted out right over the past two seasons for cover.
It's another position that on paper has depth, but will be won during preseason.
MORE:
Depth - Goalkeeper
Depth - Center Back
Depth - Right back
Depth - Left back
Depth - Holding Mid
Depth - Right Mid
Depth - Left wing
Depth - Forward
