2022 Season Review: Drew Moor

Moor capped off an historic career with one final season as the Rapids’ dedicated defensive closer.

This is part of a series of individual player reviews by Joseph Samelson. You can follow him on Twitter @jspsam and read his work elsewhere at josephsamelson.com.

Role: Central Defender

Squad Status: Retired

Season in a Sentence: Moor capped off an historic career with one final season as the Rapids’ dedicated defensive closer.

Grade: B

There’s not much to say about Drew Moor that hasn’t already been said. One of the most decorated defenders in MLS history, the 38-year-old Moor officially hung up his boots following the conclusion of his 18th professional season that featured 411 MLS appearances—more than half of which came across two stints in Burgundy.

Moor was a fixture for the Colorado Rapids’ defense between 2009 and 2015 after arriving to the club from FC Dallas via trade. He exuded class during the Colorado’s 2010 MLS Cup victory over his former club, set the league record for most consecutive games in 2011, and became an All-Star four years later. Moor made history as the second player in league history to walk away from a club as a free agent when he signed with Toronto FC in the off-season. The veteran earned his second league title in 2017 when the Reds became the first side to win a domestic treble, and returned to Colorado as a free agent after 2019.

The defender took on a far more limited role with the Rapids during his second term with the club, as the bulk of his 29 final league appearances came as a substitute. Moor’s entrance into matches often accompanied a tactical shift to a more defensive shape, and his presence as a hard-nosed veteran regularly raised the floor of the team’s back line to assist in maintaining slim leads. He featured in the majority of Colorado’s league wins in 2020 and boasted an 11-0-1 record when playing in 2021—a year when Moor only allowed one goal.

The Rapids played from behind frequently in Moor’s final season, and the club legend’s effectiveness as a defensive closer consequently waned in 2022. He still featured in nine games, including five of Colorado’s 11 wins. Moor wasn’t exceptional in his lone start, but got a storybook send-off in front of a home crowd when he made four clutch clearances on four touches against his first club in the Rapids’ penultimate game of the year.

Looking Forward

Moor’s since stepped into the commentary booth for the University of Denver’s NCAA matches, and he should be an easy candidate for the next entry into the club’s Gallery of Honor. His grizzled veteran leadership role in the team will fall to 35-year-old defender Steven Beitashour—who recently signed a contract extension through the 2023 season.

Stats via FBRef.