So surprise, training camp opens this week. The Rapids just sent out their preseason schedule. Players report for physicals on Monday with the first training session on Tuesday. They head to Arizona next Sunday (the 16th) for three matches, then they go to Orlando on Feb. 9th to play OCFC in a friendly on the 11th. They'll stay there until going to Guatemala for the CCL. Jan. 29 – Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids (Desert Showcase match) Feb. 1 – Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC (closed-door friendly) Feb. 5 – Colorado Rapids vs. Houston Dynamo FC (Desert Showcase match) Feb. 11 – Orlando City SC vs. Colorado Rapids (closed-door friendly)
My biggest concern is the lack of training at altitude prior to the first leg of the of CCL in Guatemala City (alt - 4,921'). On the flip side, it' only about a three hour flight from Orlando to GC.
Unrelated, but rename it DSG South All-time postseason wins at Toyota Stadium:9 - North Dakota State football3 - FC Dallas2 - Colorado Rapids2 - North Texas SC2 - Maryland men’s soccer2 - South Florida men’s soccer— Parrish (@LoveIsTheTemple) January 8, 2022
Wait…I didn’t know Anthony Hudson was the Broncos coach… "Those other 3 teams have top-shelf quarterbacks," Vic Fangio said when asked about the difference between the Broncos and other AFC West teams. #9sports #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/VGnn1oA6iU— Quentin Sickafoose (@QSickafoose) January 9, 2022
You stole my response to that tweet... When did Anthony Hudson get the Broncos job?— Jason Maxwell (@RapidsJason) January 9, 2022
Shocking absolutely nobody, the Rapids traded their first pick (#10 overall). It went to Nashville, waiting to hear what we got in exchange.
Rapids get $125K in GAM, plus another $50K conditional based on how well Nashville's pick plays. They also get Nashville's 1st round pick (#26).
When we trade away draft pricks it usually means we're targeting a veteran player or a signing someone from outside the league. Hopefully this is us getting positioned to sign a 1 or 2 guys that actually play forward as their primary position.
To be fair, you wanna draft the best guy available that appears to fit well in your system. Draft picks almost never see significant minutes with the first team. If you're drafting to plug holes in the starting 11, you're in a lot of trouble.
I like the picks. A defensive mid, and a defender. Two positions that we're fairly solid at right now - but will need pieces replaced in the future for sure. The Super Draft is such a hit or miss - you'll get a Daryl Dike / Tajon Buchanan or you'll get a Sam Junqua / Patrick Seagrist.... This draft we got a good pile of cash, and two potential growth pieces. Taking players that you don't need right away but can grow into potential pieces for the future, that's a good deal in my book.
Everyone year I catch myself questioning what’s point in the MLS draft. So many of the draftees don’t make the grade and find themselves in USL C or League One. The draft seems more like a bargaining chip for other trade deals as clubs put more and more emphasis on their academies. Then I remind myself of guys like Daryl Dike, Miles Robinson, Tajon Buchanan, DeJuan Jones, Jackson Yueill, Henry Kessler and several others who are above average, borderline internationals that have come from the draft. While the number of draftees that make a contribution slides downward, you can still find a gem. I guess the Draft will be irrelevant when players become irrelevant. Until them gems could be found.
Apparently he was a twin brother, Nick, that was drafted by Cincy. That’s kinda cool. I can’t think of many - if any - twins being drafted let alone playing in MLS at the same time.
🚨 With the 45th pick in the @MLS #SuperDraft, we have selected Roberto Molina (@Robertomolina_5) from @lvlightsfc! #Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/3bKHcCX4Hw— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 11, 2022 Molina has played 30-odd games in the USL Championship with the Las Vegas Lights. I assume he USL Acadmey deal which allows you to play for professional team while maintaining college eligibility. I was unaware that you were still eligible for the MLS Draft. Interesting…… He’s also made 3 appearances for the El Salvador NT.