COMMERCE City, CO (January 7, 2017) – The Colorado Rapids had quit a bit of news going into the 2017 MLS SuperDraft week. The club has signed Kortne Ford and Ricardo Perez to homegrown contracts. Vice President of Soccer Operations Paul Bravo announced his will be leaving the club.
Colorado Rapids Sign Ford And Perez As Homegrowns, Paul Bravo Leaves Club
Ford and Perez join the Rapids as their fourth and fifth homegrown signings in club history. Ford just finished up his junior year at Denver University. As a starting center back, he led the Pioneers to their first ever College Cup appearance. He scored five goals and helped DU to the third best defense in the country (in both goals against and clean sheet percentage).
Perez just finished up his senior season at Creighton University, where he was names 2016 Big East Midfielder of the Year. He registered four goals and five assists in 23 appearances.
Bravo leaves the club as Technical Director, having been with the organization since 2009. He had oversight in all soccer activities, including the technical and coaching staff, the academy, and first team scouting and acquisitions. Bravo helped the Rapids win MLS Cup in 2010. He was instrumental in the decision to sign Oscar Pareja and Pablo Mastroeni as head coach in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
He spent five seasons as a player for the Rapids as well. Bravo was a three time MLS All Star. He led the Rapids to their first MLS Cup Final in 1997. He recorded 39 gials and 22 assists in 135 regular season matches with Colorado.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids – January 6, 2017 – Rapids sign defender Kortne Ford and midfielder Ricardo Perez as Homegrown Players.
Full Name: Kortne Ford
Position: Defender
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185
Birth Date: January 26, 1996
Birthplace: Olathe, KS
Hometown: Greeley, CO
Full Name: Ricardo Perez
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160
Birth Date: May 30, 1995
Birthplace: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
