Rapids Release Harbottle

Today the Rapids release Kevin Harbottle.  He played in 4 games early this season but was only an occasional bench player after his injury.  Hard to justify a 180K contract for that.  This may also open up cap space for a Torres signing, but the rules are a little unclear on that.

As far as roster spots go, the Rapids are at 28 + Eloundou now.  The rumored signings of Sanchez and Torres would put them at the cap of 30, with Eloundou not yet on the roster.  Calderon being on IR also frees up a spot.

This also puts us at 6 international spots used, out of 9, plus Eloundou.  Torres and Sanchez would put us at 8 with one spot still open for Eloundou if he ever shows.

ADDENDUM:  Colorado is also loaning Davy Armstrong to Phoenix FC in the USL for the last 3 games of their season, including tonight's game.

Rapids Choose 3 In Draft

In today's Superdraft the Rapids stuck with their 3 picks at 6, 11, and 25 and picked up a trio of players who I expect to make the team and contribute.

Going into the draft the talk was that Colorado really wanted CB Walker Zimmerman and he fell to #6 but the Rapids surprised everyone and took UCF forward Deshorn Brown.  DeShorn is a junior at Central Florida and was signed under the Generation Adidas program, which means he doesn't count against the cap and is automatically protected in any expansion drafts.  He's Jamaican, so he will take up an international slot, leaving us 2 open slots.  He was named to the 2012 All-PDL Team and the Conference USA All Conference team.  At 6'3" he'll be a good target for Rivero's free kicks into the box.

At #11 Colorado took Notre Dame midfielder Dillon Powers.  He is one of a few seniors to already have signed a contract with MLS due to his high level of play in college.  He was also considered one of the best midfielders at the combine.  Powers has played for the U.S. U-18 and U-20 teams, being named MVP of the 2010 Milk Cup with the U-20 team.

With their final pick the Rapids took left back Kory Kindle from CSU Bakersfield.  Kindle is a senior but has not yet signed a contract.  He stood out as one of the better left backs at this draft, but he is a converted left mid.

Combined with the announcement of Kevin Harbottle this morning the Rapids are up to 25 players on the roster for training camp.  The other 21 players reported to Commerce City today for the first day of fitness tests, with training starting this weekend.  I'm sure today's additions will join them shortly.  The four rounds of the Supplemental Draft will be held on Thursday, the Rapids have a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

Here's our current roster as we enter camp.

Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus
Matt Pickens

Defenders:
Diego Calderon
Kory Kindle - Unsigned draftee
Chris Klute (on loan from Atlanta through late-Sept)
Drew Moor
Anthony Wallace
Marvell Wynne

Midfielders:
Davy Armstrong
Eric Avila - Unsigned Re-Entry draftee
Tony Cascio
Jaime Castrillon
Kevin Harbottle
Pablo Mastroeni
Brian Mullan
Shane O'Neill
Dillon Powers
Martin Rivero (on loan from Rosario Central through 2013)
Nathan Sturgis
Hendry Thomas

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Deshorn Brown
Edson Buddle
Atiba Harris
Kamani Hill

Rapids Make Harbottle Signing Official

Announced this morning before teh draft, the long-rumored signing of Chilean winger Kevin Harbottle is official.  More in the wrap-up of the draft tonight.

Wynne Re-Signed, Possibly Harbottle As Well?

Marvell at the Cat Care Society in Lakewood, where we adopted our cat

Today the Rapids made the official announcement of Marvell Wynne being re-signed that Tim Hinchey tweeted before the holidays.  The other news is that they have, according to MLSSoccer.com's Chris Bianchi, also signed attacking midfielder Kevin Harbottle from Chile but there's been no official announcement or comment from the team.

Harbottle is 22 years old and has been playing professionally in Chile since 2008.  His contract with Chilean powerhouse Universidad Catolica was up at the end of December so he'd be a free transfer.  He has 93 total professional appearances with 22 goals.  He's also played for Chile's U-20 team and was capped once for the Chile National Team in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup 2010 warm-up.