MLS Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids Look at Ambitious Hopefuls in Tryout Combine

Published on January 7, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Twenty-five hopefuls took part as the Colorado Rapids held their annual Tryout Combine for potential professional players Jan. 5-6 at the Foothills Sports Arena in Lakewood.

"For us, inviting some young players in is an important part of our overall player evaluation process," said Brian Crookham, senior director of soccer development with the Rapids. "It gives us a chance to have in-person evaluations of players we have been tracking. It also creates an open door for players who we may not have been aware of in our process of scouting."

Each year in January, the Rapids send invitations to certain players to attend the two-day tryout. The club also takes applications from players who might want to participate, and then after some evaluation, decides which ones will get an invite.

"This year, the majority of the players who took part were those who went through our general application process," Crookham added.

The two sessions included various activities to reveal how players react in a typical training environment. Activities included work on technique, passing and receiving, finishing, small-sided games and, in the afternoon both days, full 11-a-side games.

Chris Sharpe, goalkeeper coach, worked with hopefuls, while the various training pieces were conducted by Crookham and Jamie Smith, another member of the club's technical staff. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni and his assistant, Steve Cooke, also participated over the two days.

After two days of observation, Crookham says it is likely that at least one player (yet to be announced) may be invited into full preseason training with the Rapids. A second player, he said, may be invited to enter preseason training with the Charlotte Independence, the Rapids' North Carolina-based professional club affiliate.

Past Rapids combines have yielded some good finds, including several players who not only signed with the Rapids, but continued on with an extended MLS career.

Littleton's Steven Keel tried out with the Rapids in 2005, signed a contract and spent four years with the club. In 2014 he completed his eighth season in MLS and will enter his ninth this spring with FC Dallas.

Fort Collins native Steven Emory, discovered by the Rapids in 2011, was the first athlete from Metro State University to sign a professional contract when he signed with the Rapids in 2011. He spent 2011 with the Rapids and, most recently, spent the 2014 season at Närpes Kraft in Finland.

Boulder's Ryan Kawulok spent time with the Rapids' Development Academy before attending the University of Portland. He was selected No. 8 overall by the Portland Timbers in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft and spent several years with the club.

Thornton's Tesho Akindele participated in last year's Rapids combine after a great career at the Colorado School of Mines, that included scoring 76 goals and being named a first team all-American. He was selected by FC Dallas as the sixth overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, went on to be named MLS Rookie of the Year.

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