Rapids Trade Ballouchy To NY For Kandji

The Rapids have announced a trade with last week's opponents the NY Red Bulls. They left Ballouchy in NY and brought back Macoumba Kandji. Kandji is a 25-year old forward from Senegal who's spent some time playing on the wing as well. He was signed by NY 2 years ago tomorrow from the Atlanta USL team, and since then has made 41 appearances for RBNY, with 30 starts, 6 goals, and 7 assists.

Its no secret that I've never been a Ballouchy fan, so I don't think we lost much giving him up. Kandji gives us the depth at forward that Amarikwa and Akpan have bot been able to fill. The big question is who takes Ballouchy's spot on the wing in the 4-4-2 and/or his spot int he middle in the 4-5-1? Kandji has had limited success on the wing, but maybe Smith thinks he can have better luck with him. Otherwise the most likely beneficiary is Wells Thompson, who has not impressed. Going back to the 4-5-1 would almost require Lopez to start now.