Rapids Sign Homegrowns Matt Hundley and Sam Raben

Today Colorado announced the signings of homegrown players M/F Matt Hundley out of UCLA and D Sam Raben out of Wake Forest.

Hundley is 19 years old and has an outside chance of being named to the U-2 World Cup roster this summer, depending on how many players are prevented by their clubs from joining the team (the tournament does not take place in a FIFA window so teams are not required to release players for it).  He started 14 games for UCLA this year and lead the team in scoring with 5 goals.  He signed a 4 year contract today.

Raben is 22 years old and finished his senior season at Wake Forest this year.  He's played for the Rapids U-23 PDL team the last two years along side his time at Wake Forest.  He made 91 starts in college, tied for 3rd most in Demon Deacons history.

They were joined at today's press conference by first round (and #5 overall) draft pick Andre Shinyashiki, who has also signed a contract with the league.  The three of them will join the ranks of younger players with the Rapids, including the likes of Nikki Jackson, Sam Vines, Cole Bassett, and the relatively speaking grizzled veteran Kortne Ford when camp opens on Monday.

I would expect Raben to be a candidate for a loan to Colorado Springs.  On a one year deal the team is going to want to see him get as much playing time as possible to evaluate him for the future.  Hundley could bounce between the two teams depending on the needs of the Rapids.  His positions is currently somewhat cluttered, with Mezquida, Feilhaber, Gashi, Nicholson, and Shinyashiki all playing somewhat in that in-between position.  I expect, of the young guys, Shinyashiki to get the first look and the most playing time with the first-team to start the season.