Editorial (December 11, 2018) – Earlier today, the Colorado Rapids acquired veteran forward Kei Kamara from FC Cincinnati, who selected him in the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft from Vancouver Whitecaps.
Colorado Rapids acquire Kei Kamara: Proven in MLS, but there’s baggage
The Rapids sent a 2019 International Roster Spot to expansion side FC Cincy in the agreement. Kamara began his MLS career back in 2006 with Columbus Crew. With the exception of a year at Middlesborough and a loan to Norwich City, he’s spent his entire professional career in MLS.
He has recorded 112 goals in 314 appearances with six MLS teams, good for a 0.427 goals/90 minutes along with 44 assists. In 2018, he scored 14 goals in 28 league games for the Caps.
A true No. 9, cheap but old:
Kamara brings something the Rapids haven’t had in years, a double digit goals caliber No. 9. Kamara’s put up numbers everywhere he’s gone in MLS. He’s scored in a two striker system, on his own, with an underneath partner, and in a variety of systems. He’s got a similar skill set to Dominic Badji and Yannick Boli but has proven himself in MLS in ways the other two haven’t.
General Manager Padraig Smith described him as bringing a “much needed cutting edge” to the attack.
The Rapids also got him for almost nothing. One year of an international roster spot is generally valued between $75,000 – $150,000 in allocation money these days. Price will vary depending on time of year and whether a team is paying in GAM, TAM, or a combination. Kamara’s 14 goals were good for 8th (tied) in the Golden Boot race this year. It’s hard to imagine acquiring any other players with that many goals for just $100,000. In that, this trade was good asset management.
That said, Kamara’s 34-years-old. He made $1 million in 2018 on a TAM contract. It didn’t take a lot to acquire him, but the Rapids are definitely paying him TAM in 2019. In letting Yannick Boli walk and picking up Kamara, they probably had minimal change in their budget.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows with Kei:
Kamara’s fit the diva persona at times. He’s had issues in past locker rooms that are well-documented. He had a blowup during his second stint in Columbus with captain Federic Higuian back in 2016 that led to a meltdown in their season. He’s outspoken on social media as well. Calling him a locker room cancer would be hyperbole, but he’s not an angel of a teammate.
Maybe his mentality will change a bit coming to Colorado. Early indications say he’s up to it. He’s been on talented teams in the past that were expected to make the playoffs. When things weren’t going well, Kamara let it show in his emotions. He knows he’s coming to a team that is playing catch up in the Western Conference. Tempered expectations combined with limited competition for playing time and being the man offensively might do his ego some good. Tim Howard’s intimidating aura might help too.
We’ll have to wait and see. Head Coach Anthony Hudson will have to develop a better relationship with him than he did several strikers last year. If they can get on the same page regarding expectations and responsibilities, it could workout.
Last Word: More is needed
In truth, Kamara’s a bandage over an obvious weakness that is the Rapids attack. He could easily be Colorado’s first 10 goal scorer since 2014. But he’ll need some help to do that and more is needed if this club is going to be challenge for the playoffs in 2019.
Kamara and Sam Nicholson up top together in the 4-4-2 diamond (or 3-5-2) is an experiment worth trying. Kamara will also be joining former Vancouver teammate Nicolas Mezquida. Perhaps they have some chemistry. The Rapids still need a viable option at the No. 10 and the two fullback positions. Kamara’s just one moving part in a machine that stalled for most of 2018. Smith and Hudson need to be productive this off-season.
Kamara’s better suited than Badji or Boli if the Rapids go full Route 1 bunker like they did at times last year. This new striker could get them to 10th in the conference rather than 11th. Kamara’s not a bad start nor gap-filler for that next DP No. 9. But he’s not the answer to the Rapids making the playoffs either.
TRANSACTION: December 11, 2018 – Colorado Rapids have acquired striker Kei Kamara from FC Cincinnati in return for a 2019 international roster spot.
Full Name: Kei Kamara (KYE kuh-MAR-uh)
Age: 34
Position: Striker
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birth Date: September 1, 1984
Birthplace: Kenema, Sierra Leone
Hometown: Kenema, Sierra Leone
