Two internationals. One is a project and the other is overpaid. I'm pretty sure that neither one of them stands much chance of being selected.
Add this man to the protected list! #Rapids96 😄 https://t.co/8tkU2kQhmG— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) November 16, 2019
Here's the official list of unprotected players for the expansion draft: Tim Howard Niki Jackson Kofi Opare Abdul Rwatubyaye Axel Sjoberg Danny Wilson https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/11/16/2019-mls-expansion-draft-official-list-players-eligible-selection
We apparently protected Rawls and Wynne. I kind of understand protecting Rawls but Wynne shocks me. Also Blomberg doesn't appear as unprotected but I can't believe we protected him, he must be considered not on our roster or otherwise protected because of his loan. He's out of contract at this point but out-of-contract players tend to still show up in the expansion draft lists (Tim Howard for example).
Well, according to the rapids release, Bloomberg is unprotected: https://www.coloradorapids.com/post...tected-players-ahead-2019-mls-expansion-draft I honestly don’t see any of those players that are unprotected being selected though. Based on the current build of both teams, the only one who may go is Axel, but I don’t see him being taken over all the other available MLS unprotected. When it comes to Wynne, maybe Fraser wants to work with him and develop him into a solid piece in our defense? He’s still super young yet, so maybe that’s why they are protecting him. Develop him to something decent then sell him for a profit?
Also NE left Castillo unprotected and FSL left Rowe unprotected. The Rapids aren't getting enough credit for that Castillo-Rowe-Rubio deal.
Lewis did graduate from Generation Adidas, but I didn't realize Acosta still counted as a homegrown player from his Dallas days.
There is a mock expansion draft on MLSoccer.com, no surprise no Rapids get drafted. given Wilson’s salary I was hoping to replace him but guessing we are “stuck” with him another season. Granted he has looked better at DM but I would rather find a guy with wheels who could jump into attack when opportunity presents.
I just noticed Drew Moor is not protected by Toronto. I wonder if Gary Smith will be tempted to bring him to Nashville. (Larentowicz is also unprotected for that matter)
Absolute privilege and honour 🙌🏼 #AllWhites https://t.co/6FS4aNcQGc— Tommy Smith (@tommysmith1990) November 17, 2019
💪 Another start for @Jon_lewis710 as he and the #USMNT U-23s come away with a 4-0 win.#Rapids96 | #USYNT https://t.co/PskVTYaX21— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 17, 2019
Anyone see any one on Expansion draft list that might improve Rapids (i.e. We trade with expansion side to pick someone up)? I think we stand pat and don't have anyone selected either.
Hmm...something big coming down the pipeline today? Or is it just more video clips from their elevate series? TRUST us Rapids fans, you're gonna want to stay tuned to our channels in the next couple hours...#Rapids96 | #Elevate— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 20, 2019
Looks like we're getting Auston Trusty from Philadelphia Union, and sounds like we've reached a deal for Abubakar: Nice scoop from Jeff.In addition to trading for Trusty, I'm told that the Rapids have reached a deal with Crew SC to permanently acquire Lalas Abubakar. The center back spent the second half of the season on loan with Colorado. https://t.co/rmDm7pB80R— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) November 20, 2019 I don't know about the Abubakar deal yet, but ESPN has published an article about the Trusty deal: https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-...s-youth-auston-trusty-from-philadelphia-union
I'm hearing the Abubakar number is a lot lower than the $1M of xAM that was being floated earlier. Those are two significant deals done today. A backline of Rosenberry-Abubakar-Trusty-Vines is very nice looking from a youth perspective.
A bit on Trusty, since that seems to be the one that is at least confirmed: 21 years old, 6'3" 187lbs. He's received callups for both the USMNT as well as the USMNT U-23's this year alone. He started 22 games for PHI this year, and all 34 games last year, obtaining 4 yellow cards each year. He's a homegrown player too, so he falls under that category for exemptions, etc., nor does he take up an international slot. We're paying 300K in TAM for the upcoming 2020 season, 300K in GAM in the 2021 season, and 150K in 2021 money if he reaches certain performance incentives. I recall him having decent recovery pace as well. He could be a nice competitor in the offseason for Smith or Ford (assuming we bring in Abubakar, as is reported but not confirmed yet). Which, as @JasonMa said, puts us with a great young backline that has the potential to be quite solid now, with lots of upside in the future. Vines (20) Trusty (21) Ford (23) Abubakar (24) Rosenberry (25)