News and Notes 2/21

The Rapids posted an article by Nick Thomas today that gives some insight into the last few roster spots. Assuming that Emory, Ababio, and Holody accept their contract offers that leaves 4 roster spots. Smith says that 2 of them are senior spots and 1 of them is a developmental spot. The team is still hoping for Folan to fill one of the senior spots, and the second is believed to be for a English defender playing in Greece. That would most likely be Jordan Stewart.

Stewart spent his career in the English Championship, with one season in the EPL with Watford. Stewart is primarily a left-back but can play center back in a pinch. He's currently on loan from Sheffield United to Skoda Xanthi in Greece.

The last developmental spot is being left open to let Josh Janniere, a Canadian from Toronto's academy, compete for it. Janniere is a right winger who has already been in camp with the Rapids and will be returning this week. I'm not sure how this works with the MLS Academy rules, but I'm assuming Toronto has decided he doesn't feature in their plans and/or the Rapids are possibly willing to make him a full player right now and Toronto isn't. Either way, he's being brought into camp this week to try to claim that last developmental spot.

There should be a 4th spot available as that would only be 29 contracted players. I don't know if Smith has something in mind for the 30th spot or if he wants to leave a spot open to start the season.

In unrelated news there's a good interview with Smith in the Arsenal magazine.