Recapping the Rapids 2021 MLS SuperDraft
January 21, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Colorado Rapids News Release
Thursday marked a big day for the Rapids and MLS with the 2021 SuperDraft, presented by adidas.
The Rapids headed into draft day with the 6th, 21st, 42nd and 69th picks. The club also comes in with high hopes, given their success in finding quality talent in the draft in recent years.
Let's relive the action from the Rapids draft day.
11:10 AM - Big Moves on the Horizon?
The Rapids teased a potential shake up on their social media with less than an hour to go before the draft. What's in stor
Keep your eyes out... We're making moves ð#SuperDraft
- Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 21, 2021
12:00 PM - Rapids Acquire Third Overall Pick
The Colorado Rapids have been busy preparing for today's 2021 MLS SuperDraft, and the dealing is going down to the wire.
The Rapids moved up in the first round again, acquiring the third overall pick from Houston Dynamo FC in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money and the sixth overall pick, which Colorado originally acquired from Chicago Fire FC in December. The Dynamo will receive additional compensation if the third overall pick achieves certain performance-based marks.
Expansion side Austin FC holds the first pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, which begins today at Noon MT. Watch Round 1 live here
Colorado has another first-round pick at 21, acquired in the deal for dynamic winger Michael Barrios from FC Dallas earlier this month. The Rapids also hold the 15th picks in Rounds 2 and 3, at 42nd and 69th overall, respectively.
The Rapids have had plenty of success in the SuperDraft. In 2019, Rapids Executive VP & GM PSmith traded up to get the fifth overall pick and took Denver's Andre Shinyashiki, who went on to become 2019 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year. Read more about the Rapids' SuperDraft success.
12:25 PM - Rapids Select Clemson's Philip Mayaka
The Rapids used their newly-acquired third pick in the SuperDraft to get their guy: Philip Mayaka. Mayaka comes to the Rapids from Clemson where he started 29 of his 32 games played.
Date of Birth: Nov. 30, 2000 (20 years old)
Position: Centeral midfield
Skillset: Mayaka is a small center midfielder who is effective with the ball at his feet. He played an attacking center mid role in 2019 and transitioned to a more defensive role in 2020, helping lead Clemson to an ACC championship. Mayaka was touted as the top player in the draft and one of the players most likely to make an immediate impact by MLS.
Honors: 2019 ACC Freshman of the Year; 2019 MAC Hermann Semifinalist - the only freshman or sophomore named a finalist for the award; 2020 ACC All-Tournament Team
Quote: "Mayaka is the most MLS-ready player I have coached since being at Clemson," Clemson head coach Mike Noonan told ClemsonTigers.com. "He has been a pleasure to coach, and any team would be happy to have him."
Reaction:
Athleticism. Vision. Playmaking.
Our newest addition brings some good qualities to the center of the park. pic.twitter.com/uorqjv5Zmh
- Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 21, 2021
some mock drafts had Mayaka being the #1 overall pick. obviously hard to predict draft day but #Rapids96 may have snagged a steal here. excited to see the midfielder in burgundy https://t.co/W2mB8uyDI9
- Connor Cape (@MileHighCape) January 21, 2021
1:50 PM - Rapids Trade 21st Pick for $50,000 in GAM
The moves aren't done yet. The Rapids traded the 21st pick to Austin FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money.
3:00 PM - Rapids Pass on Remaining Selections
Colorado elected not to select a player with the club's 42nd pick. In doing so, Colorado also automatically passes on the its final selection, the 69th pick, as well.
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Major League Soccer Stories from January 21, 2021
- Austin FC Selects Daniel Pereira, Freddy Kleeman, Aedan Stanley, Daniel Steedman and Noah Lawrence in 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by adidas - Austin FC
- Inter Miami CF Receives 2022 SuperDraft Second Round Pick from Seattle Sounders FC - Inter Miami CF
- Recapping the Rapids 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Colorado Rapids
- Sounders FC Trades for One, Drafts Another in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Seattle Sounders FC
- Columbus Crew SC Selects Two Players in Major League Soccer SuperDraft 2021 - Columbus Crew SC
- Houston Dynamo Select Three Players in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Houston Dynamo FC
- Whitecaps FC Select Four Players in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- CF Montreal Selects Giuseppe Barone at the MLS SuperDraft - Club de Foot Montreal
- FC Dallas Selects Five Players in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft - FC Dallas
- Toronto FC Select Di Rosa, Crofts, Rothrock and Maples in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Toronto FC
- LAFC Selects Three Players in MLS SuperDraft 2021 Presented by Adidas - Los Angeles FC
- Nashville SC Selects Five Players in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, Presented by Adidas, from Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville - Nashville SC
- Earthquakes Select Cal Forward Thomas Williamson in First Round of 2021 MLS SuperDraft - San Jose Earthquakes
- New England Revolution Make Two Selections in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - New England Revolution
- Chicago Fire FC Selects Three Players in 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas - Chicago Fire FC
- Atlanta United Selects Josh Bauer and Aiden McFadden in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Atlanta United FC
- Austin FC Uses Club's First No. 1 Pick to Select Daniel Pereira of Virginia Tech Univ. in MLS SuperDraft '21 Presented by adidas - MLS
- Timbers Select Two Players in Final Two Rounds of 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Portland Timbers
- Philip Mayaka's Soccer Journey from Kenya to MLS - Colorado Rapids
- Minnesota United Select Justin McMaster, Nabilai Kibunguchy and Sean O'Hearn in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Minnesota United FC
- Sporting KC Selects Two Seniors in MLS SuperDraft - Sporting Kansas City
- Inter Miami CF Selects Penn, Mabika and Hafferty in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Inter Miami CF
- Real Salt Lake Selects Defender Bret Halsey to Highlight 2021 MLS SuperDraft Class - Real Salt Lake
- FC Cincinnati Add Four Players in 2021 MLS SuperDraft, Select Calvin Harris with Second Overall Pick - FC Cincinnati
- Orlando City Selects Forward Derek Dodson in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Orlando City SC
- New York Red Bulls Select Three in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft - New York Red Bulls
- LAFC Acquires MLS Homegrown Rights to Goalkeeper Tomas Romero - Los Angeles FC
- D.C. United Select Defender Logan Panchot with 32nd Pick at 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by adidas - D.C. United
- D.C. United Select Defender Logan Panchot with 32nd Pick at 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by adidas - D.C. United
- Philadelphia Union Acquire $50,000 in Allocation Money from LAFC - Philadelphia Union
- Austin FC Acquires 21st Pick in SuperDraft - Austin FC
- D.C. United Select Defender Michael DeShields with Fifth Pick at 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas - D.C. United
- D.C. United Select Defender Kimarni Smith with Fourth Pick at 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas - D.C. United
- D.C. United Acquire the 5th Pick in the MLS SuperDraft from Atlanta United - D.C. United
- Atlanta United Acquires $125,000 in General Allocation Money from D.C. United - Atlanta United FC
- Austin FC Selects Midfielder Daniel Pereira with # 1 Pick of 2021 MLS SuperDraft Presented by adidas - Austin FC
- Nashville SC Sends Derrick Jones to Houston Dynamo FC - Nashville SC
- Houston Dynamo FC Acquires MF Derrick Jones from Nashville SC and Swaps First Round Draft Picks with Colorado Rapids - Houston Dynamo FC
- Orlando City Acquires No. 8 Selection in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Orlando City SC
- Timbers Acquire $100,000 in General Allocation Money from Orlando City SC in Exchange for Eighth Overall Pick in 2021 MLS SuperDraft - Portland Timbers
- Sounders FC Completes Transfer of Midfielder Joao Paulo from Botafogo - Seattle Sounders FC
- How the 2021 MLS SuperDraft Works - Nashville SC
- A Note from Commissioner Don Garber - MLS
- 2021 MLS SuperDraft Takes Place Today - San Jose Earthquakes
- Nashville SC Trades International Spot, Exchanges SuperDraft Picks with Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Nashville SC
- Whitecaps FC Acquire 2021 International Slot from Nashville SC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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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