Rapids Acquire Gustavo Vallecilla from FC Cincinnati

Colorado made a significant move today, trading for Ecuadorian defender Gustavo Vallecilla from FC Cincinnati.  In exchange the Rapids are sending FCC $400K of GAM this year and $400K of GAM next year, plus possibly another $50K of GAM depending on performance metrics.  FCC will also retain 10% of any sale of Vallecilla after the Rapids recoup their costs (so 10% of everything above the first $800K/$850K).  There are also multiple confirmred reports from the likes of MLSsoccer'com's Tom Bogert that the Rapids are paying the remaining $450K of transfer fee that Cincinnati owes to Vallecilla's former club, Acuas in Ecuador.  Its unclear if that's in addition to the GAM, or if some (or all) of it is being paid with the GAM we're sending to FCC.

If it is in addition to the GAM then this makes Vallecilla one of the most, if not the most, expensive signings in Rapids history.  I'm having a hard time coming up with anyone the Rapids spent $1.25M to acquire.  Even if we're double-counting the transfer fee $800K is just behind the likes of Kaye, Max, and Juan Ramirez.  So Colorado is making a significant investment here.  What are we getting for it?

Gustavo Vallecilla is a 22 year old central defender.  Prior to signing with Cincinnati last season, first on loan and then eventually sold directly to FCC this past offseason, he was with Acuas as mentioned, where he made 5 appearances in 2019 and 3 in 2021.  In 2020 Acuas loaned him to fellow Ecuadorian Serie A side Barcelona SC where he made 15 appearances and won the title.  He made 25 appearances for FCC before the trade.  Vallecilla got his start with Ecuadorian side Deportivo Cuenca where he made 17 appearances in 3 seasons.  Gustavo has played for the Ecuadorian U-18 and U023 national teams, and got his first cap with the senior National Team in December when they played El Salvador in Houston.

At 22 years old he was brought in as part of the U-22 youth initiative which means his cap hit is minimal to us (and the transfer fee we're paying doesn't hit the cap).  He fills the final international slot the Rapids have with Mayaka being loaned to Rapids 2.  The immediate reaction from Cincinnati fans was that we were getting a great player and they were sad, and somewhat unhappy, he was leaving.  That's always a positive side for a player you're adding to a team.  He's also one of the fastest defenders in the league, which should help balance Wilson's lack of speed.

Obviously, this is a major move brought on by the fact that Trusty is leaving in July and Keita is out for the season with a blown ACL.  Before today we'd be looking at Moor or Edwards or somebody filling in next to Abubakar and Trusty.  Now we have an experience (ish) option to slot in.  Its a lot to pay for that, but I'm willing to give Padraig Smith the benefit of the doubt given his track record for intraleague trades.