Colorado Selects Two In Supplemental Draft

The Rapids had two picks in today's 4 round Supplemental Draft, in the 3rd and 4th rounds. In the 3rd round they picked Kohei Yamada, a Japanese midfielder who was an international invitee to this year's MLS Combine. He was considered one of the standouts of the first combine game but his play faded in the other two games. For the last two years he played with Thespa Kusatsu in the Japanese J-League Division 2 where he made 34 appearances.

On a side note, I find this pick quite a coincidence. MLS's past history of steering some players behind the scenes combined with the fact that a player that stood out at times in the Combine just happened to fall all the way down to the third round of the Supplemental Draft where the team with the only other Japanese player in the league had their first pick since the first round is enough to at least raise my eyebrow. Not that I'm complaining mind you. ;)

With their second pick the Rapids took goalkeeper Joel Helmick out of Longwood University in Virginia. He was a 4-year starter in goal in college and trained with Sporting KC last summer. He'll be battling and/or replacing Ian Joyce for the 3rd goalkeeper spot on the roster.

Colorado also clarified the international statuses of some players. Joseph Nane got his green card in December so he no longer takes an international spot. Earls and Comminges are not expected to be part of the team's preseason plans so their international spots are open. The Rapids start preseason with only 3 spots in use, Folan, Janniere, and Smith. Colorado has a total of 7 spots, having already traded away one of their spots.

Palm Trees And Sand For Rapids Preseason

The Rapids released their preseason plans today. They'll be making two trips, first to Oxnard and San Luis Obispo in California and second to Hawai'i for the Hawaiian Islands Invitational Tournament. In between the trips they'll be training out at the Dick. The first day of training is a week from today, though players report on Thursday for physicals and fitness assessments.

While in California they'll have matches against Chivas USA and the Earthquakes. In Hawai'i they'll play Yokohama FC of the Japanese J-League Division 2 and the winner of the match between the Melbourne Victory of the Australian A-League and Busan I'Park of the South Korean K-League.

Here's the full schedule for preseason and the match schedule:

Jan.19: Players report, physical examinations
Jan. 20-21: Fitness assessment and testing
Jan. 22: Day off
Jan. 23: First day of training, 10:00 a.m., Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (open to media)
Jan. 24-Feb. 3: Training in Denver
Feb. 4-12: Training in California (Oxnard, San Luis Obispo)
Feb.13-18: Training in Denver
Feb.19-27: Training in Honolulu, Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands Invitational)
Feb. 28-March 9: Training in Denver
Sat., March 10: First Kick: Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew, 4:00 p.m. MT, Dick’s Sporting Good’s Park

Matches:

Tue., Feb 7: vs Chivas USA (TBD)
Fri., Feb. 10: vs San Jose Earthquakes (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Thu., Feb. 23: vs Yokohama FC (Honolulu, HI), 8:30 p.m. HST
Sat., Feb. 25: vs Busan I’Park/Melbourne Heart (Honolulu, HI), TBD

Colorado Drafts Tony Cascio

The Rapids only had one pick in today's two round Superdraft, their first pick at #14 (The second was traded for Quincy Amarikwa). They used it on UConn midfielder/forward Tony Cascio. He's a senior who played for 4 years with those other Huskies (go Washington!) and last year he was a first team All-American and the Big East offensive player of the year. He is was also a 2-time All Big East selection.

Reports are that he can also play defense, but he's a natural winger which is what we need the most. With Jamie Smith out until probably midyear Cascio will have a shot at a starting spot right away.

Tuesday is the 4-round Supplemental Draft but Colorado doesn't pick until the 3rd round. Their 1st and 2nd round picks were traded in the Anthony Wallace and Joseph Nane trades.

Jaime Castrillón Coming To Colorado?

The Denver Post has confirmed a rumor that came out of Colombia this weekend, Independiente Medellín midfielder Jaime Castrillón is in talks with the Rapids. He was also in talks to join Colombian side Millionaires but has decided to set his eyes on MLS. Some sources are reporting that he's already signed, but the Rapids told the Post that discussions are still on-going.

Castrillón is a 28 year old central midfielder with 5 goals in 31 appearances with Once Caldas in 2010. in 2011 he re-joined Independiente Medellín where most of his career has been spent with 53 goals in 276 appearances. He's also been capped 29 times for the Colombian National Team and was part of their 2007 Copa America squad. He was last capped in 2009.

It looks like the expected Colombian migration to Denver might be underway already!

Colorado Signs Hunter Freeman

Today the Rapids announced that they had signed Hunter Freeman to a contract. As normal, terms and length were not revealed but I'm sure we'll find that information out down the road. Freeman started his career with the Rapids in 2005 before he was traded to NY before the season. Hunter has some versatility to play in defense or midfield, but he's primarily an outside back. He'll probably compete for the starting spot at left back with Anthony Wallace but he'll get time at right back spelling Koz as well as possibly seeing time at outside wing or center back. Freeman is the first new signing of the off-season but surely not the last.