How Acquired: Signed by the Rapids to a Developmental Player contract on March 18, 2003

Nat Borchers, who signed a developmental contract with MLS in March 2003, turned the corner and transformed from rookie to starter in less than four months, becoming a main player in the Rapids’ central defense. Since coming in as a sub on June 7th, he played a total of 22 games with the Black and Blue in his first professional season. His good sense of positioning and his natural defensive instinct have secured him a starting job in the Rapids lineup. Borchers was first called up to the Under-23’s for a friendly match against Haiti on October 15, 2003 and immediately became a starter in that lineup as well. He was part of the Olympic team that participated in the 2004 CONCACAF Olympic qualifier in which the U.S. side was defeated by Mexico in the semifinal round.

MLS Career Highlights 2003: 10/25 played 90 minutes in the 4-3 loss to DAL. Netted an own goal in the 22nd minute of the match…10/18: Played 90 minutes in 4-3 loss to Chicago at Soldier Field, drew the penalty kick that set the 1-0 lead for the Fire in the 10th minute fouling Nate Jaqua inside of Colorado’s penalty area…10/15: played 90 minutes for the US U-23 team in a friendly 1-0 win over Haiti in Ft. Lauderdale, FL…10/04: played central defense with his 4th different partner in Powell (Kotschau, Mastroeni, Fraser) in a 4-2 loss in KC….10/01: earned Man of the Match honors for his domination of Chicago forwards in a 1-1 tie…Missed 06/14/03 vs. NE due to red card suspension …05/25: Made second career start on 06/11/03 vs. DCU, received red card (two yellows)…Made MLS debut playing 90 minutes in Chicago.

National Team Highlights: Received his first call to the United States Under-23 National team for a friendly match on October 15th, 2003 against Haiti…Became a steady figure in the Olympic team backline throughout their 2004 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers…

Personal: Played High School Soccer at East High School in Pueblo, Colorado….First team all-state honoree and South Central Conference MVP in 1998 a three-time all-league selection… was a member of the Club Colorado Select team (now known as Colorado Storm) and was a first team all-state honoree and 1998 South Central Conference MVP….was also a three-time all-league selection and team captain as a junior and senior….played basketball and ran track…. Son of Phil and Debbie Borchers….Majored in Accounting.