COMMERCE CITY — In hopes of turning their season around, the Colorado Rapids acquired three new players. The winless club through 10 games has added offense to boost an aggressive mindset and defense to revamp a struggling unit.
Giving up midfielder Benny Feilhaber, $125,000 in targeted allocation money (TAM) for 2019 and $650,000 for 2020 as well as an international roster spot in 2020, the Rapids acquired center backs Abdul Rwatubyaye and Lalas Abubakar, coupled with midfielder Jonathan Lewis in three separate transactions Tuesday. They also received one international roster spot for 2019, $50,000 in TAM for this year and a 2020 SuperDraft second-rounder, along with $250,000.
Abubakar, on a year-long loan from Columbus, will have an impact right away while Rwatubyaye and Lewis are young players that can have an effect now and in the future.
Lewis, a speedy attacker, could represent a double down in aggression by recently named interim head coach Conor Casey. The two center backs hope to strengthen the Rapids’ defense which has allowed the most goals in the Western Conference.
“I think not just for myself, Colorado has made moves where we can move in the right direction,” Lewis, a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team said. “We want to build this team up and compete this year, not just for the future. We want to make a run.”
Only 21-years-old, Lewis, did not receive all that much playing time with NYCFC — the same goes for Abubakar with the Crew and Rwatubyaye with Kansas City.
“I’m really excited,” Abubakar said. “I’m coming to a club going through a tough time but my goal is to whatever I can to help. I’m really excited and that starts tomorrow.”
The Rapids (0-8-2) face rival Real Salt Lake at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 7 p.m. Saturday. With a full week of planning and a trio of new players, itap more likely Casey has the system he would like on the field. Yet still, the guys added couldn’t be any fresher into their burgundy and blue debut.
“I got here yesterday so itap a bit complicated. I’m getting used to everything, the club and culture. I just got to America when I joined Sporting,” Rwatubyaye said. “Itap really hard, this is my first time in America. I’m trying to get used to everything.”
Rwatubyaye was signed by Sporting this offseason from his home in Rwanda. While each of the three adapts to the weather and looks for apartments, it is he that probably has the biggest adjustment personally. Professionally, it could be Lewis who will have more expectations than the rest.
Lewis joins USMNT senior team player Kellyn Acosta on the Rapids’ and youth players Sebastian Anderson, Cole Bassett, and Sam Vines.
“Itap definitely good,” Lewis said. “Having guys who have been in the same system as me, having all of us together I think it builds confidence for us American players that we can compete anywhere.”
As for how their style of play fits in or if they can change the tides of a lousy start, as Lewis said, “We’ll find out.”
