Colorado Selects Two In Supplemental Draft

The Rapids had two picks in today's 4 round Supplemental Draft, in the 3rd and 4th rounds. In the 3rd round they picked Kohei Yamada, a Japanese midfielder who was an international invitee to this year's MLS Combine. He was considered one of the standouts of the first combine game but his play faded in the other two games. For the last two years he played with Thespa Kusatsu in the Japanese J-League Division 2 where he made 34 appearances.

On a side note, I find this pick quite a coincidence. MLS's past history of steering some players behind the scenes combined with the fact that a player that stood out at times in the Combine just happened to fall all the way down to the third round of the Supplemental Draft where the team with the only other Japanese player in the league had their first pick since the first round is enough to at least raise my eyebrow. Not that I'm complaining mind you. ;)

With their second pick the Rapids took goalkeeper Joel Helmick out of Longwood University in Virginia. He was a 4-year starter in goal in college and trained with Sporting KC last summer. He'll be battling and/or replacing Ian Joyce for the 3rd goalkeeper spot on the roster.

Colorado also clarified the international statuses of some players. Joseph Nane got his green card in December so he no longer takes an international spot. Earls and Comminges are not expected to be part of the team's preseason plans so their international spots are open. The Rapids start preseason with only 3 spots in use, Folan, Janniere, and Smith. Colorado has a total of 7 spots, having already traded away one of their spots.