MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Acquire Moroccan Midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy

Published on July 16, 2007 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Commerce City, Colorado (Monday, July 16, 2007) - The Colorado Rapids today completed a trade with Real Salt Lake, acquiring attacking midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy in exchange for Kyle Beckerman.

"The Rapids are excited to add another attacking option to the team in Mehdi Ballouchy," said Rapids Coach Fernando Clavijo. "He will bring a youthful creativity to Dick's Sporting Goods Park."

Ballouchy was the second overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft out of Santa Clara University. The former Colorado Rapids U23 player has scored two goals and recorded two assists for Salt Lake while playing in 46 games (40 starts) over two years.

Ballouchy spent his junior year of high school at Conor Casey's alma mater, South High School in Denver. The move also allows Ballouchy to live with his wife, who is a Denver resident and has a full time career here in the Mile High City.

Beckerman came to the Rapids in the 2002 Dispersal Draft from the now-defunct Fusion FC. In his five and a half seasons on the Front Range, Beckerman has gone from an occasional starter to Rapids Golden Boot winner and US National Team member.

Unfortunately for the Crofton, Maryland product, he has always been playing in the shadow of one of the league's best all-time holding midfielders, Pablo Mastroeni. This trade allows Beckerman to grow on his own and the Rapids to acquire a creative attacking midfielder.

"We are very sad to part with an outstanding player and outstanding human being in Kyle, but that was the price required to acquire one of the most valuable assets in MLS," said Rapids General Manager Charlie Wright.

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