Now we come to the first number where I'm not even sure as I write this sentence who the best player who wore it is, #4. Lets take a look at the list and see which candidates stand out.
Steve Trittschuh (1996-1999)
Scott Vermillion (2000)
Robin Fraser (2001-2003)74
Adrian Cann (2004)
Ricky Lewis (2004)
Dan Gargan (2005-2007)
Greg Dalby (2008)
Ugo Ihemelu (2009)
Jeff Larentowicz (2010-2012)96
Marc Burch (2014-2017)
Danny Wilson (2018-2020)
Well, that list narrow down to 4 pretty quickly. Trittschuh, Fraser, Larentowicz, and Burch are the only possible choices. The only league awards for any of these players were in 2010 when Larentowicz was an All-Star and of course won MLS Cup that year. Larentowicz and Trittschuh both appear in the team record book in the top 10 of yellow cards received but I don't think that helps their case much. Otherwise none of the players appear anywhere in team records. Fraser got his final U.S. National Team cap in 2001 while with the Rapids, while Larentowicz got all 4 of his career caps as a member of the Rapids.
So what we have is similar to our list for #2, a number of journeyman MLS players that really never stood out. I think we can eliminate Burch. He was a strong component of a single good season (2016) and not much else. He also had the least appearances of the 4. Of the other 3 Fraser had 74 appearances but no finals, Trittschuh had 91 appearances and appeared in the 1997 MLS Cup, but did not play in either the Open Cup semifinal or final in 1999. The Ginger Ninja had the most appearances in #4, with 96.
I think the obvious answer here turns out to be Larentowicz. He had the most appearances, was an All-Star, and won MLS Cup. Interesting that our best #2 and #4 are midfielders when those numbers are traditionally defenders.
Next up, a pick at #5 that will likely upset some people.
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