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MLS Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids 2020 Preseason Roster Update

February 5, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


On Saturday, January 18, Colorado Rapids players reported for the first time to DICK'S Sporting Goods Park ahead of the 25th season in club history. After a few days of testing, the team traveled to California to officially kick off preseason in Orange County. The current roster of signed players was joined by two 2020 MLS SuperDraft picks, select players from the Rapids Development Academy and several players invited on trial.

February 5 Update:

Several players have been released, departed camp to train with USL teams or have returned to Colorado (see below).

Younes Namli, Nicolas Benezet, Jonathan Lewis and Sam Vines are set to join the team in Southern California for the first time this preseason.

Niki Jackson and Abdul Rwatubyaye will join Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in preseason.

Matt Hundley will join Memphis 901 FC in preseason.

Darren Yapi returns to the U-17s of the Rapids Development Academy in Colorado.

Trialists Brian Lopez, Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, Andres Alarcon and Kwadwo Poku were released from camp.

The current roster in camp is reflected in the table below.

For a full 2020 preseason schedule, click here.

Current Roster

Player Name(Last, First) Date of Birth Position Number Notes

ABUBAKAR, Lalas 12/25/94 Defender 6 Joined the Rapids in an official capacity through a trade with Crew SC after spending most of the 2019 season on loan with Colorado. Abubakar started in 22 matches for the Rapids and played a key role in the team's defensive form over the second half of the season.

ACOSTA, Kellyn 7/24/95 Midfielder 10 Acosta enters his second full season with the Rapids after arriving via trade in July of 2018. The 24-year-old started 30 games for the club in 2019 adding two goals and two assists.

ANDERSON, Sebastian 8/8/02 Defender 22 Right back and Colorado native was signed to a Homegrown contract in April of 2019 and made his debut later that month. The 17-year-old became the youngest player in club history to score a goal in July. Anderson spent part of the offseason with the US U-17 squad at the World Cup in Brazil.

BASSETT, Cole 7/28/01 Midfielder 26 The Colorado native enters his second full season with the club after signing a Homegrown contract in August of 2018. The 18-year-old trained with Arsenal's U-23s & Hoffenheim in November and was named to the MLS 22 Under 22 list in December. He recently captained the US U-20 team and scored both goals in their 2-0 win over Mexico.

BENEZET, Nicolas 2/24/91 Forward 9 The versatile forward was acquired via trade with Toronto FC, joining the team at a date TBD based on his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa processing. Benezet played twelve matches with Toronto in 2019, including all four of the team's playoff games.

FORD, Kortne 1/26/96 Defender 24 Homegrown center back Ford is entering his fourth season with the club after missing all of 2019 due to injury. Ford had season-ending knee surgery in June and will hope to regain the form that saw him feature in 33 MLS matches during his first two seasons as a pro.

IRWIN, Clint 4/1/89 Goalkeeper 31 Irwin featured in 11 matches in 2019 for the Rapids making 42 saves with one clean sheet. The 30-year-old is a seven-year veteran who started the 2016 MLS Cup Final for Toronto FC enters 2020 as the most experienced 'keeper on the roster.

KAMARA, Kei 9/1/84 Forward 23 Center forward with 343 games and 126 goals to his name enters his 14th MLS season and second with the Rapids. The Sierra Leone native scored 14 goals for the Rapids in 2019 and ranks fifth all-time in MLS for goals scored.

LEWIS, Jonathan 6/4/97 Forward 11 Speedy winger enters his first full season with the Rapids after arriving via trade in May of 2019. The 22-year-old made an immediate impact on the wing with his pace scoring five goals and adding three assists in 10 starts. Lewis will join the Rapids after completing USMNT camp on Feb. 5.

MEZQUIDA, Nicolas 1/21/92 Midfielder 20 Creative and versatile midfielder enters his second season with the Rapids after featuring in 32 games for the club in 2019. The 27-year-old Uruguayan scored four goals and added six assists for the club in 2019 and will continue to provide quality and depth at a number of attacking positions in 2020.

MOOR, Drew 1/15/84 Defender 3 Signed a one-year deal to rejoin the Rapids after spending past four seasons with Toronto FC. Moor previously played 181 games with the Rapids over his six seasons, including a 2015 campaign that earned him a MLS All-Star appearance.

NAMLI, Younes 6/20/94 Midfielder 21 Designated Player and attacking midfielder acquired on a two-year loan. His report date is TBD based on his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Namli joins Colorado from the FC Krasnodar of the Russian Premier League and brings and elite level of creativity, technical quality and attacking flair to the team.

NICHOLSON, Sam 1/20/95 Forward 28 The 24-year-old Scottish winger featured in 27 games for the Rapids in 2019, scoring two goals and adding four assists. An impact player who adds pace and creativity to the deep pool of attackers in 2020.

PRICE, Jack 12/19/92 Midfielder 19 The central midfielder enters his third season with the Rapids after having his breakout campaign in 2019. The 27-year-old Englishman dropped 11 assists in 25 starts last season and enters 2020 as a team leader on and off the field.

RAWLS, Andre 12/20/91 Goalkeeper 15 Rawls appeared in 15 matches for Colorado Springs in 2019 while also spending time training with the goalkeeper group at the Rapids. The 28-year-old enters the 2020 season looking to push Clint Irwin for the starting position between the sticks.

ROSENBERRY, Keegan 12/11/93 Defender 2 The right back amazingly played in every minute for the Rapids in 2019, one of three MLS players to achieve the feat. The 26-year-old enters his second season with the club as a leader on the back line.

RUBIO, Diego 5/15/93 Forward 7 The Chilean international forward had a breakout season in 2019, scoring 11 goals in 25 starts while adding five assists. The 26-year-old enters his second season with the Rapids and adds an incredible work-rate and nose for goal.

SHINYASHIKI, Andre 6/11/97 Forward 99 The reigning MLS Rookie of the Year enters his sophomore season looking to take the next step in his career. The 22-year-old scored seven goals in 18 starts and added three assists. He enters 2020 as an option on the wing or at the striker position.

TRUSTY, Auston 8/12/98 Defender 5 An athletic center back acquired via a trade with the Philadelphia Union. Trusty, a product of the Philadelphia Homegrown system, is only 21 years of age but started 56 matches over two seasons with the Union. His addition adds another elite level athlete to the backline.

VINES, Sam 5/31/99 Defender 13 Left back and Colorado native had a breakout season for the Rapids in 2019 featuring in 26 games. The 20-year-old Homegrown enters the 2020 season fresh off being named to the MLS 22 Under 22 list in December. Vines will join the Rapids after completing USMNT camp on Feb. 5

WILSON, Danny 12/27/91 Defender 4 Enters his third full season with the Rapids after appearing in 20 games for the club in 2019. Wilson adds experience to a young locker room and brings a sense of calm to the field whether featuring in central defense or midfield.

WYNNE, Deklan 3/20/95 Defender 27 The versatile defender played in 11 matches for the Rapids during his second season with the club but missed the majority of the season due to a foot injury. The 24-year-old enters the 2020 season looking to push for time at his preferred left back position.

Players Invited to Preseason

Player Name

(Last, First) Date of Birth Position Number Notes

AFAMEFUNA, Robin 3/2/97 Defender 45 Left back drafted in the second round of the 2020 SuperDraft from the University of Virginia, where he played all four years. Afamefuna is extremely athletic and likes to join the attack while providing quality service in the final third. He captained UVA to the NCAA final in 2019.

ALARCON, Andres 5/19/01 Defender 46 An 18-year-old center back currently playing in Argentina at Argentinos Juniors. Scouts rate him as a high potential player who is calm in possession and see him as an excellent passer with a high soccer IQ.

HAUSER-RAMSEY, Jacob 8/4/95 Defender 58 Center back from UConn drafted 42nd by the Rapids in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. After being injured for the entire preseason, he signed with Memphis 901 where he made 14 appearances in his rookie year. A former Seattle Sounders Academy player Hauser-Ramsey possesses great athleticism and a fearless approach on the field.

KELLY, Jeremy 10/21/97 Defender 44 Right back from the University of North Carolina whose rights were acquired via trade with Montreal Impact during the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Kelly is a former US youth international player who featured at several positions throughout his college career before settling in at right back role where he is a steady defender that can effectively join the attack.

POKU, Kwadwo 2/19/92 Midfielder 87 Attacking midfielder spent 2019 with the USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies after playing in Russia with Anzhi in 2018. The 27-year-old featured in 34 matches for NYCFC during the 2015 and 2016 season registering five goals and seven assists. On the international front, he also has three caps with Ghana.

RODRIGUEZ, Abraham 7/19/02 Goalkeeper 30 The 17-year-old goalkeeper is a product of the Rapids Development Academy and brings a dash of youth to the goalkeeper group this preaseason. The Thornton, Colorado native appeared in 16 matches for Colorado Springs in 2019 and was named to the USL 20 Under 20 selection.

VINT, Will 10/12/01 Midfielder 16 A highly-touted central midfielder from the Manchester United Academy, Vint is an 18-year-old Colorado native who most recently spent time with Atlanta United 2 of the USL last season before returning to his home state to join the Rapids Academy.

YAPI, Darren 11/19/04 Midfielder 41 A 15-year-old forward from the Rapids Academy earned an invite after a spectacular fall season, scoring four goals in five DA league games while adding quality performances in the MLS Generation Adidas Cup qualifying matches. He was recently called into US U-17 national team.

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