Chris Klute of the Colorado Rapids slide tackles Hector Jimenez of the Columbus Crew during the first half of an MLS match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4, 2014, in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Petty, The Denver Post)
When the in exchange for allocation money and a swap of first round picks, the reaction ranged from confusion to outrage among Rapids supporters on social media, to delight among Crew fans. After all, the 24-year-old was just a year removed from the 2014 U.S. men’s national team January camp after a 2013 season in which he led the club with seven assists.
However, Klute was far less productive in 2014 after suffering a hamstring injury in March, and was moved from left back to right back by new head coach Pablo Mastroeni.
The Rapids were happy with the swap, saying they received something of a king’s ransom in allocation money in the draft-day deal — money that can be used in addition to the club’s regular salary budget.
Sporting Director Padraig Smith, who was hired this off-season as the club’s salary capologist and performance analytics guru, outlined the reasoning for the deal last week.
“The deal with Columbus really we felt that it was a great return and offered us the ability to do some other things that we felt were really important for us,” Smith said. “So the allocation money was quite significant, and that was also the key piece. And then it also allowed us to jump up the extra few spots and secure the guy we really had targeted right at the outset of the draft process.”
The Rapids grabbed 6-foot-7 center back Axel Sjoberg with the No. 14 pick they received from the Crew.
Later that day, the from Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for allocation money and their No. 3 overall allocation ranking. In talking to the Rapids, it’s clear getting Sarvas was integral to their off-season plan. The Rapids also went on to from San Jose for allocation money.
Earlier in the off-season, the Rapids traded for Michael Harrington from Portland Timbers, who Smith described as “a seasoned pro who can lock down that position.”
Smith added: “We also have a few other guys in the fullback role who we feel are good fits for our club.”
The Rapids have Marc Burch and John Neeskens on the roster at fullback, but beyond that it’s a bit slim. Winger Dillon Serna saw time at fullback last preseason, and center back Shane O’Neill has played there in the past as well. The Rapids also have center backs Sjoberg, Zat Knight, Bobby Burling and Grant Van De Casteele on the roster, and Jared Watts saw time at center back last season but is more of a No. 6. Captain Drew Moor is also working toward a return at center back after knee surgery.
“(Klute) is a wonderfully talented player, but we felt the deal that was on offer allowed us to do very important things in other areas,” Smith said. “We felt quite comfortable with Harrington and Burch on the left side of our defense.”
