Rapids Select Yamada and Helmick in Supplemental Draft

January 17, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, January 17, 2012) - The Colorado Rapids selected Kohei Yamada and Joel Helmick in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, held on Tuesday afternoon. Yamada, a midfielder from Hyogo, Japan, and Helmick, a goalkeeper out of Longwood University in Virginia, will join the club for preseason training starting this Thursday.

"We were excited to get Kohei and Joel this late in the draft process," said Colorado Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. "Both are talented players, and we're eager to bring them into camp and see if they can contribute to the team."

Yamada, a 22-year-old midfielder from Hyogo, Japan, made his professional debut in 2010 with Thespa Kusatsu of the Japanese second division (J. League Division 2), and has played 34 matches over two seasons with the club. Helmick, a four-year starter at Longwood University, posted a 0.92 goals against average in his senior year and earned 2011 Atlantic Soccer Conference Tournament MVP honors while leading his school to an 11-6-3 record.

The Rapids selected Yamada with the 14th pick of the third round and Helmick with the 14th pick of the fourth round, having dealt their other selections in the Supplemental Draft in previous trades. Colorado's first round pick went to Toronto FC in 2010 in trade for Joseph Nane, while the second round selection went to FC Dallas in 2009 in the trade for Anthony Wallace.

Yamada and Helmick will report to Colorado this week for the opportunity to earn a roster spot during preseason training. The Rapids open the 2012 season on March 10 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, facing off against the Columbus Crew. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.ColoradoRapids.com or call 303-825-GOAL.

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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.

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