20-21 Off season catch all

My understanding is that the week between the initial report date (March 1) and when training will begin (March 8) is for quarantine. If players voluntarily quarantine before March 1 they can participate in group training sessions before the 8th.

 

Interesting that he had a chance to go to Europe before he came to HS in the US and then had an opportunity to go to Levante in La Liga about a year ago. If he's valued that highly, why was he not taken as the first pick in this draft. Not complaining, just curious.

 

My guess is that season ticket holders won't hear anything about ticket availability until the schedule is announced - which sounds like it will be sometime in early March.

Last fall season ticket holders were on track to get into matches until the Rapids pulled the plug on the plan just a few days before. Tickets were sold in blocks of 2 or 4 IIRC. Also, I believe to get tickets a waiver needed to be signed.

It seems the Rapids could just keep the plan they had in place as it would most likely satisfy the health department's requirements and they most likely have the seating chart figured out.

 

He was expected to be the first pick, he was called the most obvious first pick since Larin or even Zakuani. My bet is that the fact that he needs an international slot scared off Cinci and Austin.

 

Which is why I think Padraig is doing a decent job. Foresight to move up to #3 and be able to manage the international slots may have given us a really good pick. Let's hope we don't get into TOO much of a selling org and keep a few of these gems.

rod.

 

The rapids away kit will be released either the 23rd of this month or the 2nd of March. You are welcome #rapids96

— Rapidsbro123 (@Rapidsbro123) February 16, 2021

 

I've been thinking the same way. Given the limitations that KSE puts on its teams (other than the Rams), Padraig is doing very well after refocusing on moneyball, US players.

 

U.S. Open Cup Committee releases 2021 competition schedule #usoc2021 https://t.co/VfR1BYubMt

— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) February 17, 2021

 

This new U-22 initiative will fit nicely into Padraig's moneyabll style as well. Don't know if you all saw it already, but it was included as part of the new CBA:

While more details about the U22 rule will be released at a later date, what I've gathered so far is that teams can sign (thanks to Sam Stejskal on Twitter):

• Teams can sign up to 3 players under the U22 rule
• Unlimited acquisition costs, and a reduced budget charge on the salary cap
  • The budget hit on the salary will be around 150k-200k
• Homegrowns and draftees also eligible
• Max salary is capped at max budget charge ($612k)
• These players can stay on this contract until age 25

So essentially, this allows for what basically amounts to 3 more "Young DP" slots at reduced fees for teams.

For example, players like Braian Galvan, Cole Bassett, etc, could be tagged under the U-22 rule and be kept on the team for a lower salary budget hit than if we were to sign them on the free market - and they would be able to stay on a lower salary cap hit until they are 25.

The power of this rule can be shown in LAFC's Diego Rossi. The current rules in MLS allows teams to "buy down" DP salaries to fit under the max budget hit if they so chose and want to free up another DP slot. I would also assume that the rules would also apply to the U-22 initiative rule.

So, Diego Rossi is one of LAFC's DP's - and man is he good. At 22 years this year, they could have tagged him under this U-22 contract. He currently is paid $1mil per year base salary.

Lets say LAFC signed him to the U22 - his only salary hit against the cap would have been $150k-200k. They could "buy down" his salary from $1mil to the max hit of $600k using GAM - thus freeing up another DP slot for the team to sign a different player, AND Diego's salary cap hit until he's 25 would only be in the $150-200k range.

If you're interested in playing moneyball (like Padraig is proving some skill at these days), than this just opened up an entirely new door to get creative with your cash output and salary cap hits.

 

So, simply. It adds 3x "Young DP" slots reducing their cap hit to $150K-$200K who make no more than $612K/ yr- (Transfer Fee issue still needs to be resolved or explained in detail per Podcast).

Up to $1.8M in Contract Compensation* becomes ~$650K Salary Cap hit.

Rapids Players who meet age threshold (22 going down): Trusty, Vines, Hundley, Galvan, Basset, Vint, A Rodriguex (GK), Seb Anderson.

 

I never can make sense of the MLS rules around how TAM. yougn DPs, etc. But it looks like this new initiative has the potential to help the Rapids in terms of continuing to acquire and develop young players whether they come through thee DA or from Latin America.

Thoughts?

Starting this year, #MLS teams will have access to a new pool of money meant for under-22 players. The impact on the league could be hugely significant. @samstejskal breaks down the league's new "Young Money" initiative, in detail: https://t.co/nKnNKU5KQK

— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR) February 19, 2021

 

1364251542941958149 is not a valid tweet id

 

Roster will be cut from 48 to 20 before the tournament. Figure at least one of the 4 has to be part of it, right?

 

I would much rather see Trusty take over the other CB slot over playing in qualifiers.



Looks like these guys will miss the first month of season provided they make final roster.

 

The season doesn't start until April 17th, so won't they be done with the tournament by then?

 

Oh that's right, I forgot.

 

Stejkal is projecting Vines and Lewis to make the Olympic qualifying roster. Also states the roster for the Olympic Games - should the US qualify- could be very different with Euros like Pulicic available.

https://theathletic.com/2409283/202...roster-projection/?source=user_shared_article

 

Update on this Nov. item: Michael Edwards is returning stateside to play for Colorado, I'm told. Rapids are making a trade with D.C. United for his #MLS rights, presumably involving allocation money.

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 25, 2021

 

If Michael Edwards is coming to the Rapids, who is gone? Wilson? Ford? Numbers wise, it doesn't seem they don't need another CB unless someone on the roster is leaving soon. Rapids currently have 5 on the roster.

Edwards is only 20.

 

Since Wilson just signed a new contract I doubt it would be him as much as I want this to happen.

 

Seems like his youth would allow him to develop a little. Also, it could mean Ford doesn't make it? I would be sad about that, but injury history leaves doubt about him making it.

Still seem like a fair number of CB's, unless someone can move somewhere.

 

My guess is that they don't see (or aren't confident in) a long-term plan for Moor and/or Ford. A 20 year old coming back to MLS from a Bundesliga reserve side isn't someone I'd expect to heavily contribute in 2021, this feels more like adding depth for the future. Moor will be retired in a year or two, and Ford is a big question mark right now. That leaves Lalas and Trusty as starters, and a 29 year old Wilson as a backup. We aren't as deep in natural CB's as we think.

Essentially he's going to take Rwatubaye's roster spot and probably spend the season in the Springs.

 

It's a real shame about Ford. I absolutely LOVE his story and how much he had to overcome - and how much he still needs to overcome.

The sad reality is that he hasn't played a competitive minute since 2018 and has had multiple operations, surgeries, etc to try and resolve this knee issue - that at this point no one knows whether or not it will ever be resolved.

At 6'2 185lbs, he was a big physical presence. He certainly seemed to be making progress on his mental side of the game as well - positioning, timing, etc. He had some good wheels on him too. I could totally see him growing in his game and ultimately lining up next to Abubakar and just being a lock down solid CB duo tandem.

I hope, and I truly do hope, that the end of the line isn't coming for Kortne. Following him on social media, it seems like he still has a good relationship with the guys on the roster - it's just been hardship after hardship after hardship.

But if anyone can get over that hurdle, its Ford.

Good luck to ya buddy. Hope to see him repping the Burgundy again soon.

 

Former Rapid turned coach sound familiar?

We keep building.

We have added Wolde Harris and Chris Little to the coaching staff. Learn more about the newest additions ⏬

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 26, 2021

Wolde Harris and Chris Little join the Rapids coaching staff.

Based on the article, it sounds like Harris will be working as an assistant coach that focuses on the strikers/forwards and Little will be working on developing youth players