MLS Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids Sign Homegrowns Sebastian Anderson and Oliver Larraz to New One-Year Contracts

Published on December 19, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids have signed Homegrown defender Sebastian Anderson and Homegrown midfielder Oliver Larraz to new one-year contracts with club options for 2025. Additionally, Anderson's contract has a club option for 2026, the club announced today.

"We have been impressed with Seb's and Oli's continued development in both first-team and Rapids 2 platforms," said Colorado Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor. "We are excited to see what impacts they can have with the first team next season."

Anderson, 21, played in 14 matches for Rapids 2 in 2023 season and recorded a total of 1,215 minutes. He added one assist in his time on the pitch with Rapids 2, posting a record of 13-1-0 (W-L-D) when he featured, helping Rapids 2 to the Western Conference semifinal.

The Rapids Homegrown Player has had various loan spells with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks of the USL Championship, where he delivered seven assists across 40 appearances, helping them reach the Conference Quarterfinals in 2021 and the Conference Finals in 2022.

At the international level, Anderson has represented the United States at the U-17 and U-15 levels.

At the time of his signing in April 2019, Anderson was the 11th Homegrown product in team history and at 16-years-old became the youngest professional athlete in Denver. Additionally, Anderson holds the record as the youngest player in club history to make an appearance and start a match (16 years, 262 days) and to score a goal (16 years, 346 days). He joined the Rapids Academy in 2017 and featured for the Academy's U-17 and U-19 teams. Prior to joining the Rapids Academy, Anderson played for Real Colorado's U-14 and U-16 teams.

Larraz's 2023 season with Rapids 2 saw him score nine goals and deliver eight assists in 29 appearances for the MLS NEXT Pro side. He led the team in various categories, including minutes played (2,214), games played (27), games started (25), and key passes (54), topping the league in key passes. His efforts helped Rapids 2 to the top of the table in the regular season and a spot in the Western Conference semifinal. Larraz's contributions earned him a selection on the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI for the 2023 season, and he was named Rapids 2 Player of the Year.

A Denver native, Larraz started his playing career with the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club during the 2009-10 season before joining the Colorado Rapids Academy in 2014. Larraz played four seasons with the Rapids Academy, often playing several age groups above his own, and was named the club's Academy Player of the Year in 2015. He also spent time with local youth side Real Colorado.

In 2019, Larraz played for German club Duisburg U-19s in the U-19 Bundesliga West, making four appearances for the side. Larraz also spent time with the FC Barcelona Residency Academy in Arizona in January and February 2020.

"We're thrilled to keep these two local talents on board. Their dedication to the club, along with their undeniable hunger is impressive, and we're excited to see them contribute to the team's success," said Colorado Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas.

TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign defender Sebastian Anderson and midfielder Oliver Larraz to new one-year contracts with a club option for an additional year on December 19, 2023.

Sebastian Anderson

Pronunciation: AN-der-suhn

Position: Defender

Height: 5-8

Weight: 154

Birthdate: August 8, 2002

Birthplace: Sacramento, California

Hometown:Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Nationality: USA

Oliver Larraz

Pronunciation: lah-RAZ

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-10

Weight: 139

Birthdate: September 16, 2001

Birthplace: Denver, CO

Nationality: USA

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