Cole Bassett Bio
Cole John Bassett, born on July 28, 2001, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids. A product of the Colorado Rapids academy, he signed his first professional contract as a homegrown player in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young midfielders in the league. He has also represented the United States men’s national soccer team at the senior international level.
Early Life and Background
Cole John Bassett was born on July 28, 2001, in Littleton, Colorado. Growing up in the Denver metropolitan area, he developed an early passion for soccer, a sport deeply embedded in Colorado’s youth sports culture. He began his organized soccer journey with the Colorado Rush, a well-known youth club in the region that has produced several professional players.
His talent was evident at a young age, and in 2017, at just 16 years old, Bassett joined the Colorado Rapids academy, one of the most established development systems in Major League Soccer. The academy provided him with a structured pathway to professional soccer, and within a year, he was ready to make the leap to the senior team. Standing at 180 centimeters tall, Bassett combines physical presence with technical skill, qualities that have defined his development as a central midfielder.
Path to Soccer
Bassett’s progression through the ranks of American soccer was swift and noteworthy. After joining the Colorado Rapids academy in 2017, he spent time with the Colorado Rapids developmental sides before signing a professional contract with the senior team on August 10, 2018, as a homegrown player. The homegrown player rule, which allows MLS clubs to sign players from their own youth academies, has been a vital pathway for young American talent, and Bassett used it to launch his professional career.
His first taste of senior football came shortly after, on September 8, 2018, when he made his competitive debut for the Colorado Rapids against the Portland Timbers, entering the match as a 71st-minute substitute for Kortne Ford. Although the Rapids lost the game 2-0, the appearance marked a significant milestone. He scored his first senior goal on the final day of the 2018 season against FC Dallas, signaling his potential as a goal-scoring midfielder.
Cole Bassett Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Bassett’s first full season with the Colorado Rapids came in 2019, during which he demonstrated steady growth and consistency. He scored two goals and added two assists, performances that caught the attention of league observers. At the end of the 2019 season, he was ranked No. 20 on the MLS 22 under 22 list, a recognition of the best young players in the league, an impressive achievement for a player still in his late teens.
During this period, Bassett also gained experience with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, a USL Championship affiliate, further sharpening his skills in a competitive environment. These developmental years laid the foundation for the breakout campaign that would follow in 2020.
Colorado Rapids Breakthrough (2020-2021)
The 2020 Major League Soccer season marked Bassett’s true arrival as a top young talent in the league. He scored his first goal of the campaign on August 29 in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City, and his consistent performances throughout the year earned him MLS Team of the Week honors in Weeks 10, 12, and 13. He finished the season as Colorado’s leading contributor, tallying five goals and five assists, a remarkable output for a player who was still only 19 years old.
Advanced metrics further underscored his impact. Bassett posted an 80 percent big-chance conversion rate, tied for the second-highest in MLS, and generated .92 non-penalty goals plus assists per 90 minutes, the fourth-best mark in the league. His work rate was equally impressive, covering 11.33 kilometers per 90 minutes, the fifth-most in MLS. At the club’s end-of-year awards, he was named Players’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Team MVP by Centennial 38, the Rapids’ supporters group, and he shared the Golden Boot with teammate Jonathan Lewis.
Bassett carried his momentum into the 2021 MLS season, scoring his first goal on May 8 in a 3-2 win over Minnesota United, a performance that earned him MLS Team of the Week honors for Week 4. Later that month, on May 15, he netted his 10th career MLS goal in a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo, moving into first place on Colorado’s all-time homegrown goalscoring list and surpassing former teammate Dillon Serna.
European Loan Spell (2022)
In January 2022, Bassett embarked on a European adventure, joining Dutch Eredivisie club Feyenoord on a season-and-a-half loan that included an option to buy. The move represented a significant step in his career, offering him exposure to top-flight European football. He made an appearance in the opening game of the 2022-23 Feyenoord season before the club recalled him from the loan and sent him on a season-long loan to fellow Dutch side Fortuna Sittard on August 13, 2022.
At Fortuna Sittard, Bassett gained further experience in the Eredivisie, one of the most tactically demanding leagues in Europe. On November 18, 2022, he was recalled from his loan and returned to the Colorado Rapids, bringing back valuable experience from his time in the Netherlands.
Cole Bassett Career Wins
Cole John Bassett has accumulated notable individual accolades and team contributions throughout his professional career, though specific team championship victories at the senior level have not been documented in available sources. His personal awards and statistical achievements stand as the primary markers of his success to date.
Colorado Rapids Highlights
During his time with the Colorado Rapids, Bassett has been a consistent contributor in midfield. He finished the 2020 MLS season as the club’s leader in both goals, with five, and assists, also with five. He also holds the distinction of being the all-time leading homegrown goalscorer in Colorado Rapids history, having surpassed Dillon Serna on the list in May 2021.
At the club level, he was named the Colorado Rapids Players’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Team MVP by supporters group Centennial 38 following the 2020 season, and he shared the club’s Golden Boot award with Jonathan Lewis that same year.
Other Performances
Beyond his MLS contributions, Bassett gained valuable experience in the USL Championship with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in 2019 and in the Dutch Eredivisie with Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard in 2022. These stints broadened his tactical understanding and exposed him to different styles of play.
Cole Bassett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cole John Bassett comes from a family with a strong connection to soccer. His younger brother, Sam Bassett, played soccer for the Colorado Rapids Academy and committed to the University of Denver to continue his development, illustrating the family’s deep ties to the sport and to the Colorado Rapids organization specifically.
Personal Life
Cole John Bassett was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado, where he continues to maintain ties through his professional career with the local MLS club. He comes from a sporting family, as evidenced by his younger brother Sam’s own pursuit of a soccer career. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children are not widely documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Cole John Bassett remains a midfielder for the Colorado Rapids, the club where he began his professional career. Coming off a European loan spell in the Dutch Eredivisie with Fortuna Sittard in 2022, he returned to Colorado with broadened experience and a renewed opportunity to contribute to his hometown team.
Bassett’s track record, including leading the Rapids in goals and assists during the 2020 campaign and holding the franchise record for homegrown goals, positions him as a key figure in the team’s midfield. His statistical profile, marked by strong chance conversion, high work rate, and creative output, suggests he will continue to play a central role in the club’s ambitions.
With the 2025 season underway, Bassett’s combination of international experience with the United States men’s national team and his familiarity with the Rapids’ system makes him a player to watch as Colorado looks to build on its recent campaigns. His ongoing presence in the squad underscores his importance to the club’s long-term project and the development of American soccer talent.