COMMERCE CITY, CO (December 13, 2016) – The Colorado Rapids lost no players to the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft today. They have also traded the negotiation rights to Jermaine Jones to the LA Galaxy in exchange for a draft pick.
Colorado Rapids Lose No Players To MLS Expansion Draft, Trade Rights To Jones
The Rapids were at risk of losing a player to Atlanta United FC or Minnesota United FC in the draft. They had several important and affordable defensive players unprotected. Marc Burch quietly had a very good year as a veteran full back. Bobby Burling and Jared Watts were both serviceable as center backs this season.
Even a Mekeil Williams is a fast and affordable full back if the clubs wanted a player who could go forward.
Fortunately for Colorado, none of them were picked. Their entire defense (which was the best in MLS in 2016) are all under contract and will return to the side next season.
The club also can offer more money in free agency to both Sebastian Le Toux and Marco Pappa. These two could still return to the club as veteran players and attacking threats.
On the other side of things, the Rapids achieved closure with the uncertainty Jermaine Jones. The club traded his rights to the LA Galaxy. In exchange, the Rapids will have the Galaxy’s natural first round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Still, Colorado will need to look to fill the void Jones left from a leadership stand point. Perhaps the Rapkids got enough life lessons out of Jones this year to not need him around the whole time next year.
Jones also played in only a handful of games, so perhaps his loss will not be so significant.
The draft pick in question will be in the back half of the round. There won’t be any of the top talent available by then, but perhaps the Rapids could get a diamond in the rough or a project they can turn into a glue player.
