Weekly Camp Update

It seems that in this no-drama preseason all we're going to be hearing out of the Rapids is weekly updates and game reports.  Doesn't leave much for a blogger to write about. :D  Anyway, this week's report is out and a few players have been released from camp.  Draftees Marcelo Borges and Robbie Mertz were not asked to continue with the team to California and we'll have to find their next career step elsewhere.  Also former Academy player Enoch Mushagalusa was told that he wouldn't be joining the team.   Along with that Academy player Oliver Larraz who trained with the team in Florida is not part of the travelling group to California.  Lastly Switchbacks player Jordan Schweitzer has returned to the Springs.

That leaves Academy players Abe Rodriguez (GK) and Sebastian Anderson (D) travelling with the team to Chula Vista along with invitee Kofi Opara (D) and draftee Jacob Hauser-Ramsey (D).  I think its safe to say that with Howard, Irwin, and Rawls already signed Rodriguez is there as a 4th goalkeeper in training and to get experience, not to try to land a contract for 2019.  The same is probably true for Anderson but getting time as a high school junior will help him if/when he earns a homegrown contract.

So its down to Opara and Hauser-Ramsey competing for roster spots.  With 26 signed players we have room for both of them, but if I had to bet its a two way competition for one spot.  Going seven deep at CB seems unlikely.

Also in this update is an injury report.  Everyone is currently in camp in Chula Vista except for Sam Raben, who is training with the Switchbacks.  I think we can assume he'll be spending 2019 on loan in Colorado Springs.  Sam Vines has picked up a quad strain that will limit his activity for another week or so.  Otherwise Ford, Kamara, and Nicholson are all still on their timetables to be fully back by the start of the season, which is good to see.  Their fitness levels at that point may necessitate them not being ready to start but they would be available off the bench at least.

Below is the updated camp roster:

Goalkeepers:

Tim Howard - Designated Player

Clint Irwin

Andre Rawls

Defenders:

Kortne Ford - Homegrown Player

Sam Raben - Homegrown Player (Training with Colorado Springs)

Keegan Rosenberry

Axel Sjoberg

Tommy Smith - International

Sam Vines - Homegrown Player

Danny Wilson - International

Deklan Wynne

Midfielders:

Kellyn Acosta

Nana Boateng

Cole Bassett - Homegrown Player

Johan Blomberg - International

Benny Feilhaber

Shkelzen Gashi - Designated Player, International

Nicolas Mezquida - International

Sam Nicholson - International

Jack Price - International

Dillon Serna - Homegrown Player

Forwards:

Matt Hundley - Homegrown Player

Niki Jackson

Kei Kamara

Diego Rubio

Andre Shinyashiki

Trialists:

Abe Rodriguez - Goalkeeper (Academy)
Sebastian Anderson - Defender (Academy)
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey - Defender

Kofi Opare - Defender