The 2025 MLS Cup Final between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Champions Inter Miami felt like it was only yesterday. With a new season upon us, there's plenty of happenings around both the Box State and Outside of it that have us readying up for another marathon of a season!
With some additional Box State news, this jam packed newsletter is your focus guide on what's happening ahead of the (initial) start of professional domestic soccer.
ICYMI - Last Week's Newsletter:
Juan Fernandez
Topics:
🎞️ MLS Season Premiere
⬛ New Colorful Threads
🗼Experienced Keeper Joins Summit FC
🕰️ Signature Switchback Retires
⚽ Roots and Goals
🎞️All the Box State Footy MLS Happenings
It's no secret that this publication is heavily catered towards Major League Soccer. My work is closely tied to the league, Outside the Box is our most successful podcast, and the Rapids coverage continues to lead a lot of the discussions on the publication.
As we grow, we are still in search of writers to help round out the rest of the coverage, but between MLS, USL, NWSL, and the local footy around the state we can only do so much. Email us if you'd like to contribute your writing to the publication!
Given how strong an influence MLS has on the site, all the content coming down the pipeline is none other than our Season Premiere!
Wednesday - Outside the Box Predictions Show
Season 2 of Outside the Box started off with a bang. Our Offseason Mega Pod clocked in at about 3.5 hours with a total of 200+views. Wow!
Whether you listened to the whole thing or just took some minutes off here and there, we're thrilled with the response and hope to continue to deliver on the hilarity and informed takes. Our predictions show drops Wednesday early in the morning. Make sure you are subscribed wherever you get your podcasts!
Thursday - Measuring 2026 xPectations
My 2026 Rapids Season Preview analyses every aspect of the team's ethos from off the field to on it. It is scheduled to drop on Thursday featuring plenty of questions and hypotheses for the upcoming season.
Juan Fernandez
I had a lot of fun writing this piece last season and revisiting it throughout the year has made for some face palms, some "a-ha" moments, and plenty of more deliberations. The MLS season is a long one, I wasn't exaggerating when I called it a marathon, this piece hopes to capture this current moment in time ahead of the ensuing season. It's like when a ride operator straps in your seatbelt moments before a wild rollercoaster.
Saturday - Box State Away Days! All-Day MLS Watch Party
Luckily, for me, the Rapids play on Sunday making this Saturday exclusively an MLS day! We will be on the road, as we typically do for these season openers, at the George and Dragon Pub in Seattle, WA.
If you find yourself on the road this weekend (or if you just live in Seattle) come through the night before the Rapids take the field and have a drink or two with us! Hopefully, you're not camera shy either as we will also be looking to record plenty of the event with some fun clips to be produced!
⬛ Colorful Kits Abound!
There were two kit drops this past week. Both with differing fan receptions.
The Rapids dropped their "Colorful Colorado" kit.
Colorado Rapids
The immediate takeaway is the irony of it being called the "Colorful Colorado" kit that is predominantly absent of color. Outside of the name, the home kit transitioning from the traditional burgundy to black is a big pain point. While many have tied the rebranding efforts in the off-season to this kit, this kit had already been in the making before talks of the rebrand resulting in mostly a cruel twist of timing.
The one Rapids Twitter overreaction that should stop is the “this kit is part of the rebrand.” The kit was -finalized- two years ago. Yes, they are exploring a possible rebrand. No, this kit is 100% -not- a part of that. #Rapids96
— Duane Brown (@theduanebrown) February 12, 2026
Besides the Rapids new home threads, the Switchbacks released not one, not two, but three(!) kits for the upcoming season.
Introducing three new jerseys
— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) February 14, 2026
⚫ Blackout Jersey - Fierce. Sleek. Dominant.
⚪ City Jersey - Classic. Intentional. Rooted.
🟠Sunset Jersey - Bold. Energized. Power
Purchase the new jerseys: https://t.co/g8YEGftY3I#switchbacksfc #coloradosprings pic.twitter.com/Nti1HGiQh4
To add to the hype of the Switchbacks jersey drop, their event at Ed Robson Arena looked like quite the spectacle!
Getting ready to see the @SwitchbacksFC players and new kit drop.
— Ian McClintock (@iancmcclintock) February 14, 2026
Meet and greet with all the players going on now.
Excited to see what this season brings for the black and blue. @USLChampionship @LWOSMattPollard @BraidonNourse @5280Keith @ByHughJohnson @BrentBriggeman pic.twitter.com/u3ja71AAuw
It wouldn't be a Switchbacks story without some more conversation about the CBA which still remains at an impasse.
The USL Championship season is set to start March 7th, 2026. Players are in preseason preparations and the more the date approaches the more the threat of a lockout starts to percolate.
But will it actually happen? Has the USLPA lost it's leverage? Jonathan Starling seems to think there's blame to go everywhere for the current situation.
Additional Reading: The Third Half: I've Had Enough With the Lack of Championship CBA Progress...From All Sides
🗼Pauline Peyraud-Magnin Signing Made Official
The Summit have their starter in between the sticks with the signing of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin formerly of Juventus.
ADDING TO THE GK UNION 🧱
— Denver Summit FC (@denversummitfc) February 14, 2026
Welcome to Denver, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin! pic.twitter.com/WGrY3b1OMI
Peyraud-Magnin, 33, had a tremendous 2025 playing in 42 matches across all competitions according to Soccerdonna.
Recently, the French goalkeeper has fallen out of favor prompting a move abroad to the NWSL. Now, with the Summit, Peyraud-Magnin rounds out the the goalkeeping core and slots in as an immediate starter.
It's worth noting though just how strong the relationship between Jordan Nytes and Abby Smith has become this preseason with this clip of Nytes emphasizing their friendship.
re: @denversummitfc.bsky.social announcing 🇫🇷 GK PPM, Jody isn’t wrong here, but want to point out Abby Smith as very much a mentor for Jordan Nytes: #SummitUp
— Matthew Wick (@matthewwick.bsky.social) 2026-02-14T18:58:41.137Z
With only a month left until kickoff, the inaugural Summit FC squad is all but complete. Their recent 2-0 win against Utah Royals also gives fans lots to be excited about.
🕰️ Zach Zandi Retires
One player who has been a staple amidst the Colorado Springs Switchbacks' midfield is Zach Zandi who recently announced his retirement.
“This club, this city, and this community have given me more than I could ever put into words. I’m proud of what we built together, and I’m incredibly grateful to every teammate, coach, staff member, and supporter who was a part of my journey.”
— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) February 12, 2026
-Zach Zandi
Watch the full… pic.twitter.com/dpcJiuscXN
Zandi, 29, has been a part of the Switchbacks roster since the 2021 season. He will continue to be a part of the team in a more technical role as Head Scout and Technical Development Coach.
In the video above, Zandi notes his struggles with a recent concussion that forced him on to the sidelines.
Zandi's best season came in the Switchbacks Championship winning year. He scored six goals that season, including the one above to send them through to the Western Conference final, and tallied an additional four assists.
We're wishing Zandi all the best in his new role and in his retirement.
⚽ Roots and Goals Equipment Drive
One final addition to the weekend happenings amidst the MLS Season Premiere, much more local to the Box State, is an equipment drive for the local non-profit Roots and Goals.
Roots & Goals was created to empower rural and under-resourced communities through the shared love of soccer. Connecting youth, local leaders, and volunteers to cultivate confidence, teamwork, and sustainable growth - both on and off the field.
Roots and Goals have partnered with Centennial 38 and the Oar Foundation to collect lightly used soccer equipment across various locations in Denver. The non-profit will be prominently featured at C38's kickoff party and will collect donations on February 22nd.
If you can't make it on Sunday, donation bins are available at locations before hand:
Those locations include:
- Celtic on Market - 1400 Market St, Denver, CO 80202
- The Owl Saloon - 5026 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
- DNVR Bar - 2239 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
- Miss Molly's Bakery - 2600 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
- Stir Pan Creamery - 1221 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
Please consider donating to help this local non-profit! We hope to highlight more of Roots and Goals work throughout the season!
