The Colorado Rapids announced Friday that Conor Casey, the 2010 MLS Cup MVP and the club’s all-time leading scorer, will leave the team “by mutual agreement.” 

The 31-year-old forward is one of eight players set to depart after the Rapids opted not to exercise contract options or offer new deals.  The others are Edu, Ian Joyce, Tyrone Marshall, Joseph Nane, Scott Palguta, Tyson Wahl and Luis Zapata. 

It is Casey’s name that stands out.  The Denver product joined the Rapids in 2007 after spending six years in Germany and scored 52 goals in 123 games, including the second-half equalizer in the 2010 MLS Cup final.  Colorado would go on to win the club’s first and only title in overtime and Casey was named man of the match. 

“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,” technical director Paul Bravo said. “ But after having a conversation with him about his future, we all decided that it was the right time to move on.” 

Casey was the club’s highest-paid player and appeared in 18 games this season, starting 13 and scoring only two goals.  He suffered a ruptured Achilles’ in 2011 and struggled with a variety of ailments this year. 

“It was truly an honor to be able to play in front of my hometown fans and to bring a championship to Denver,” Casey said. “ While I am sorry to see my time with the Rapids come to an end, I want to thank the supporters here in Colorado for everything they gave to me and the club over the last several years.” 

Colorado missed the playoffs in coach Oscar Pareja’s first season, going 11-19-4 and finishing seventh in the Western Conference. 

Of the other seven players released on Friday, only defenders Marshall and Zapata were Rapids regulars.