Thursday, February 11, 2010

Rapids Sign Two

The Rapids announced the long-rumored signing of two internationals today. Danny Earls (pictured) from Rochester and Oscar Murillo from Deportes Quindio of Colombia. Earls is a left-sided player that has been mainly a left back but can also play left midfield. Murillo is a center back.

Both count as internationals which puts us at 6, I think the Rapids limit is 7 though. Also I was told by Paul Bravo that both Kimura and Cummings were close to getting their green cards but they didn't expect them in time for the expansion draft in November. That tells me there's a very good chance neither of them will count as an international by the time the season starts.

With these signings the Rapids have 19 senior players under contract, 5 development players (including on-loan Valentino), and Akpan was signed to a contract by the league before he was drafted but I'm not sure if its a senior contract or a development one. Last year the roster limits were 20 senior and 4 developmental players. If Akpan got a senior contract and Valentino stays on loan all season then the Rapids are right at that number. With a few exceptions contracts in MLS aren't guaranteed until mid-season, so there's still room for the other draftees or any trialists to claim a spot, but its going to be tough.

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