The first-year Montreal Impact selected Rapids striker Sanna Nyassi with the eighth pick in the MLS expansion draft Wednesday.
The Rapids were able to protect 11 players from being picked, but Nyassi was among those still available. Montreal could draft no more than one player from each of the other 18 teams in the league.
“When you can only protect 11 players, there is always the risk of losing a valuable player like Sanna,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo said.
In one season with Colorado, Nyassi scored five goals — including a hat trick July 20 against New York — and added five assists.
Colorado last year lost defender Anthony Wallace to the Portland Timbers in an expansion draft, then got him right back with a trade later the same day.
Montreal made Houston forward Brian Ching the first pick, even though he has threatened to retire if he has to leave the Dynamo.
The Impact become the league’s 19th team next season and selected 10 players Wednesday from 272 left unprotected.
Montreal also took Chivas USA defender Zarek Valentin, Philadelphia midfielder Justin Mapp, San Jose defender Bobby Burling, Vancouver midfielder Jeb Brovsky, Salt Lake midfielder Collen Warner, Columbus defender Josh Gardner, Seattle defender James Riley and Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic. Riley then was traded to Chivas USA for forward Justin Braun and midfielder Gerson Mayen.
In a separate waiver draft, Philadelphia took Vancouver midfielder Nizar Khalfan.ditto
The Associated Press contributed to this report
