Rapids Journal

Strange SuperDraft Sees Rapids Acquire Promising Depth Options

The opening two rounds of Major League Soccer’s 25th annual SuperDraft will be remembered as one of those quintessential “You Just Had To Be There” moments in league history.

Faced with the Draft’s dwindling relevance over the last decade, league officials shifted the activities surrounding the event entirely online for the first time. Now divorced of its usual relationship with the yearly United Soccer Coaches Convention, Thursday’s SuperDraft experienced more than its fair share of oddities – including one that directly impacted Colorado’s first round selection.

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Rapids Journal

Despite Serna Departure, Colorado Poised to Reverse Homegrown Fortunes

The Colorado Rapids are signing homegrown players en masse – it’s become a clear trend to bring in both local academy players and graduates from elsewhere in MLS under the management of Pádraig Smith. This approach is pragmatic, as it affords the club advantages in cap management and transfer profit alike. However, the release of Dillon Serna and Sam Raben has once again shed light upon the failures of the Rapids organization to turn promising local talent into significant transfer profit, much less long-term contributors for the first team.

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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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Roster Updates

Caleb Calvert returns to Colorado from Charlotte loan

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The Colorado Rapids announced Friday that Caleb Calvert has returned to Denver from his loan to Charlotte Independence in the United Soccer League.

The 21-year-old American forward scored only one goal and registered two assists across his thirteen appearances with the Rapids’ USL affiliate club in 2018. Calvert joined Colorado after Chivas USA folded in 2014 and has spent four loan stints with the Independence.

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Colorado Rapids Academy

Undefeated U14s finish third in Galway Cup

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The Colorado Rapids Under-14s finished third in the 2018 Galway Cup despite being one of the two teams to boast an unblemished record in the tournament’s round robin stage.

Sligo Leitrim ultimately lifted the tournament’s top honors in the 2005 division, defeating Chicago Fire 1-0 in the final. Their victory marks the first U14 Galway Cup title in four years by a side not named Colorado.

The Rapids – coached by club legend Marcelo Balboa – opened the tournament on Wednesday with convincing wins over Shrewsbury Town and Sligo Leitrim. The following day, the U14s became the only team to drop points against the combined North Dublin Schoolboys League (NDSL) squad, playing to a disappointing 0-0 draw.

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Roster Updates

Rapids sign academy player Cole Bassett

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General Manager Pádraig Smith revealed Thursday that the Colorado Rapids have signed academy player Cole Bassett to a full-time contract. The announcement was made during a live question and answer session that the club hosted at Odell Brewing Company in downtown Denver. Colorado has yet to reveal the specifics of the contract offered.

Bassett, 17, joined the Rapids Developmental Academy from the Colorado Rush academy in 2017. Smith spoke highly of the talented midfielder, describing Bassett as “the best player” in his age group.

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