[MLS TRANSACTIONS] Conor Casey, who was the MLS Cup 2010 MVP when he led the Colorado Rapids to their first MLS championship, was one of eight players released by the Rapids on Friday.

Casey, who grew up in Denver, scored 50 goals in 121 games, as well as a goal in the Rapids’ 2-1 win over FC Dallas in MLS Cup 2010.

“Conor has been an incredibly important part of the Rapids since he got here in 2007, and has forever left his mark on the club,” said Technical Director Paul Bravo. “He’s the Rapids’ all-time leading scorer and the MLS Cup MVP in 2010. But after having a conversation with him about his future, we all decided that it was the right time to move on.”

Casey, 31, was traded to the Rapids in 2007 after six years playing professionally in Germany and just two matches with Toronto FC.
 
The Rapids will not exercise contract options or will decline to offer new contracts to Edu, Ian Joyce, Tyrone Marshall, Joseph Nane, Scott Palguta, Tyson Wahl and Luis Zapata in addition to Casey.
 
Marshall's 337 regular-season games rank fourth in MLS history among field players.
 
Zapata, a 32-year-old left back from Colombia, joined the Rapids in preseason and started 26 games in 2012.