Roster Updates

Joining Colorado a “Dream come true” for Hundley, Raben

Following a hectic SuperDraft weekend that added new blood to the Rapids’ roster ahead of their 2019 campaign, the Rapids held a special event Tuesday to announce the signing of two homegrown players: Matt Hundley and Sam Raben. The Colorado natives join Dillon Serna, Kortne Ford, Cole Bassett, and Sam Vines as Rapids academy alumni on contract with the first team.

“I’m feeling ecstatic,” Hundley beamed following the press conference, “It’s a dream come true. Being in my hometown to start my professional career is incredible.”

Raben was similarly enthusiastic about the next step in his career. “The more and more I do with the team, the more I get excited,” the versatile defender explained, I’ve been doing some pre-preseason workouts with the strength coach, Chad [Kolarcik], and it’s just really cool to see all the players – all the players I looked up to – come in and do the same things as me. It’s surreal.”

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Colorado Rapids U23

U23s crash out of PDL playoffs after late Calgary goal

Calgary Foothills F.C. extended their win streak to ten games after Ali Musse delivered a late strike to deny the Colorado Rapids Under-23s a spot in the Premier Development League Western Conference Final.

For eighty minutes, it seemed like nothing could get by Rapids goalkeeper Connor Gavigan (Florida Gulf Coast University). Throughout the match, Colorado’s defense appeared to bend but not break, as Gavigan was able to make save after save to deny Calgary’s aggressive attack.

Then – in the eighty-second minute – Foothills’ attacker Ali Musse fought off four Rapids defenders in the final third before sending a driven shot into the bottom corner of Gavigan’s net. Calgary held on to win 1-0.

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Colorado Rapids U23

Rapids U23s prepare for first real test against Calgary Foothills in PDL Playoffs

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Colorado Rapids Under-23s will travel to Rio Honda College in Whittier, California on Friday to participate in the Premier Development League’s Western Conference semifinals against Calgary Foothills F.C.

The U23s clinched the PDL Mountain Division title last week to earn direct qualification to the knockout rounds. This is the first season that the Rapids qualified for the PDL postseason since re-joining the league in 2017. The first incarnation of the Rapids U23s folded at the end of the 2008 season following a 3-1 defeat in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

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Colorado Rapids U23

Rapids U23 stoppage time comeback over F.C. Tucson clinches PDL Mountain Division Title

Colorado Rapids Under-23s seemed destined to drop points in their final regular season Premier Development League match against divisional rivals F.C. Tucson Wednesday night. The Rapids PDL side let in an early goal in the ninth minute to Tucson’s Adeola Oke and Dalton Pando appeared to seal the victory for the Arizona-based club when he extended Tucson’s lead early into second half stoppage time.

The Rapids – who lead the PDL’s Western Conference in goals scored with forty-two across the season – responded by delivering two clean finishes over the next four minutes. Matthew Hundley and Ken Akamatsu’s stoppage time heroics spoiled Briley Guarnari’s shutout and secured the Mountain Division title for the Rapids U23s.

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