COMMERCE CITY — In hopes of turning their season round, the Colorado Rapids acquired three new gamers. The winless membership via 10 video games has added offense to spice up an aggressive mindset and protection to revamp a struggling unit.
Giving up midfielder Benny Feilhaber, $125,000 in focused allocation cash (TAM) for 2019 and $650,000 for 2020 in addition to a global roster spot in 2020, the Rapids acquired heart backs Abdul Rwatubyaye and Lalas Abubakar, coupled with midfielder Jonathan Lewis in three separate transactions Tuesday. In addition they obtained one worldwide roster spot for 2019, $50,000 in TAM for this 12 months and a 2020 SuperDraft second-rounder, together with $250,000.
Abubakar, on a year-long mortgage from Columbus, will have an effect immediately whereas Rwatubyaye and Lewis are younger gamers that may have an impact now and sooner or later.
Lewis, a speedy attacker, may signify a double down in aggression by lately named interim head coach Conor Casey. The 2 heart backs hope to strengthen the Rapids’ protection which has allowed essentially the most objectives within the Western Convention.
“I feel not only for myself, Colorado has made strikes the place we will transfer in the suitable route,” Lewis, a member of the U.S. Males’s Nationwide Crew mentioned. “We wish to construct this crew up and compete this 12 months, not only for the long run. We wish to make a run.”
Solely 21-years-old, Lewis, didn’t obtain all that a lot enjoying time with NYCFC — the identical goes for Abubakar with the Crew and Rwatubyaye with Kansas Metropolis.
“I’m actually excited,” Abubakar mentioned. “I’m coming to a membership going via a tricky time however my aim is to no matter I can to assist. I’m actually excited and that begins tomorrow.”
The Rapids (0-8-2) face rival Actual Salt Lake at Dick’s Sporting Items Park at 7 p.m. Saturday. With a full week of planning and a trio of latest gamers, it’s extra doubtless Casey has the system he would love on the sphere. But nonetheless, the fellows added couldn’t be any brisker into their burgundy and blue debut.
“I obtained right here yesterday so it’s a bit difficult. I’m getting used to every thing, the membership and tradition. I simply obtained to America after I joined Sporting,” Rwatubyaye mentioned. “It’s actually laborious, that is my first time in America. I’m attempting to get used to every thing.”
Rwatubyaye was signed by Sporting this offseason from his house in Rwanda. Whereas every of the three adapts to the climate and appears for flats, it’s he that most likely has the largest adjustment personally. Professionally, it could possibly be Lewis who may have extra expectations than the remaining.
Lewis joins USMNT senior crew participant Kellyn Acosta on the Rapids’ and youth gamers Sebastian Anderson, Cole Bassett, and Sam Vines.
“It’s undoubtedly good,” Lewis mentioned. “Having guys who’ve been in the identical system as me, having all of us collectively I feel it builds confidence for us American gamers that we will compete anyplace.”
As for the way their type of play suits in or if they’ll change the tides of a awful begin, as Lewis mentioned, “We’ll discover out.”
