Cascio and Mwanga Head to Orlando City SC

December 10, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release

In today's Expansion Draft, the Colorado Rapids lost Tony Cascio and Danny Mwanga to Orlando City SC. Cascio was Orlando's second round pick, while the Florida club chose Mwanga with their eighth round selection.

As a consequence of Cascio's departure, the Rapids were able to add Marc Burch to their Protected List.

Cascio was originally selected by the Rapids with the 14th overall selection (first round) of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft on January 12, 2012.

He made his debut in a 2-0 home win over Columbus Crew on March 10, 2012, and would net his first goal for the club eight days later in a 2-1 victory at Philadelphia Union. He may be best remembered for his last-gasp game-winning goal at Montreal Impact on June 29, 2013, which struck the back of the net in the sixth minute of stoppage time and snapped a three-game losing streak for the Rapids.

The versatile midfielder then spent the 2014 season on loan at Houston Dynamo, though his time there was hampered by an ACL injury. He returned to the Rapids at the end of the campaign.

Mwanga was acquired by the Rapids from the Portland Timbers on February 28, 2013. He made five starts in 13 appearances in his first season. His playing time was restricted to six appearances in 2014 (two starts), with him closing out the season on loan at New York Cosmos.

Elsewhere in the Expansion Draft, former Rapids player Mehdi Ballouchy was taken by New York City FC from Vancouver Whitecaps with their sixth round pick. Ballouchy spent three years with the Rapids, from 2007-2010.

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from December 10, 2014

• Bobby Burling Joins Colorado Rapids Via MLS Waiver Draft - Colorado Rapids
• Earthquakes Select Leandro Barrera in Waiver Draft - San Jose Earthquakes
• Mansaray Called into U-18 U.S. National Team Camp in Spain - Seattle Sounders FC
• Chicago Fire Acquire Right of First Refusal for Defender Eric Gehrig - Chicago Fire FC
• Timbers Academy Midfielder Adrian Villegas Named to U.S. Under-15 National Team Training Camp Roster - Portland Timbers
• Orlando City Trades Eric Gehrig to Chicago Fire for 2016 MLS SuperDraft Pick - Orlando City SC
• Real Salt Lake Brings Jamison Olave Back from the New York Red Bulls - Real Salt Lake
• Orlando City Sc Selects Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts No. 1 Overall - Portland Timbers
• New York Red Bulls Trade Defender Jamison Olave to Real Salt Lake - New York Red Bulls
• Lovitz Re-Acquired from New York City FC - Toronto FC
• Houston Dynamo Forward Mark Sherrod Selected by Orlando City SC in MLS Expansion Draft - Houston Dynamo FC
• Record-Setting Postseason Caps off 2014 MLS Campaign - MLS
• Swanson Called-Up for U.S. U-18 MNT Camp in Spain - Columbus Crew SC
• Impact Selects Nigel Reo-Coker in MLS Waiver Draft - Club de Foot Montreal
• Revolution Lose Two Players in MLS Expansion Draft - New England Revolution
• Chicago Fire Academy Players Named to United States Under-18 Men's National Team Training Camp Roste - Chicago Fire FC
• Two Crew SC Players Selected by Orlando City SC in the 2015 MLS Expansion Draft - Columbus Crew SC
• MLS Veterans and Promising Talents Make up the 20 Players Chosen in the 2014 Expansion Draft - MLS
• Michael Harrington 'Excited About the Fresh Start' with Colorado Rapids - Colorado Rapids
• Cascio and Mwanga Head to Orlando City SC - Colorado Rapids
• The 'Who, What, Where and How?' of the Various MLS Drafts - Colorado Rapids
• Pedro Ribeiro Selected by Orlando City SC in Expansion Draft - Philadelphia Union
• StubHub Center to Host U.S. Men's National Team match against Panama February 8 - LA Galaxy
• MLS Cup 2014 delivers second-highest viewership for league championship in MLS history - New England Revolution
• Orlando City Strengthens Roster Through MLS Expansion Draft - Orlando City SC
• Forward Rob Friend Retires from Professional Soccer - LA Galaxy
• LA Galaxy Begin Postseason Tour in Peru and Ecuador - LA Galaxy
• Béland-Goyette, Gagnon-Laparé and Joly Invited to Canada U20 Camp - Club de Foot Montreal
• Revolution Academy Teams Update: December 10, 2014 - New England Revolution
• Earthquakes Sign GK David Bingham to New Contract - San Jose Earthquakes
• Follow the 2015 Expansion Draft Live from 12pm MT - Colorado Rapids

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Colorado Rapids Stories

• "I Don't Take It for Granted": Cole Bassett Sets New Homegrown Record in Victory over FC Dallas
• Rapids Remain Unbeaten in Four Games, Beat FC Dallas 2-1 at Home
• Colorado Rapids Search for Three Crucial Points at Home against FC Dallas
• Colorado Rapids Face Inter Miami CF for the First Time in Club History
• Rapids Extend Unbeaten Steak on the Road to Four Matches, Rafael Navarro Records First Brace for the Rapids