Superdraft Preview

All quiet in Commerce City.  No official coach announcement yet.  Rumor of a significant trade for Dante Sealy from Montreal.  I'm waiting for it to be official to get too much into it, but the reported $2M of GAM we're trading is a significant overpay if its accurate.

One thing I never commented on here was that we did exercise the purchase option for Noah Cobb.  I have mentioned that this was something I was in favor of so I'm glad it got done.

The Re-Entry Drafts came and went with the Rapids doing nothing, so its on to tomorrow's Superdraft.  Colorado has 8 picks in the 3 rounds, including 4 first round picks.  We have Toronto's pick at #6 in exchange for us allowing Toronto to hire Neil Emblem to join Robin's staff in Toronto.  e have our natural pick at #10.  We have Columbus' pick at #18 in exchange for an international slot in 2025, and we have Philly's pick at #26 (along with #56 and #86) due to the trade of GAM for all their draft picks in 2025, 2026, and 2027.  In addition to Philly's picks in the 2nd and 3rd round we have our natural picks at #40 and #70.

The reality is with all those picks we'll be very lucky if we get tow players who contribute in the next couple of seasons.  The player who would likely be the top pick, Grand Canyon University striker Junior Diouf, is a freshman and would only be eligible with a GA contract.  Today there were 4 GA contracts announced and he wasn't one of them.  There was also a senior contract announced (a senior who's signed with the league pre-draft) and its my personal favorite pick in the draft, Washington midfielder/striker Richie Aman.  I'd love to see him drop to 6 and have Colorado take him, but I have my doubts.

Anything more I could tell you about the picks is better summarized by American Soccer Analysis' great Superdraft writeup.  Work will probably prevent me from doing any live updating tomorrow but I will have a recap of whatever happens, which will probably involve Smith trading picks, tomorrow night.

Rapids Loan Cobb, Agree With Holding?

Two quick player updates in this post with my Philly game preview immediately following.  Colorado has taken Atlanta United centerback Noah Cobb on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy him.  Atlanta will get $100K GAM   Cobb is 20 years old and came up through Altanta's academy.  He's also played for the U.S. U-20 team.  He's made 3 starts and 13 appearances for the Five Stripes this season after 13 starts and 19 appearances last season.

Cobb has some really good passing instincts and is good in the air.  I wouldn't expect to see him starting regularly this season but it gives us some depth with Awaztiem gone.  He's not a direct replacement though. for that we're still looking at Rob Holding.

Speaking of, EFL Analysis is reporting that the Rapids and Holding have come to terms and he'll be flying in for his physical this weekend.  That has yet to be confirmed by anyone else yet, but they also report it would be a free transfer.  I also found out today that Holding's girlfriend is not an American, as I had earlier heard, but Icelandic striker Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, who recently signed with Angel City FC of the NWSL.  So that's one draw for him to the States.  Denver is a lot closer to LA than London.