Before the 2023 MLS SuperDraft began, the Colorado Rapids went back a few draft classes to bring in a player the club had long been keeping an eye on.
On Wednesday, hours before the SuperDraft kicked off, the Rapids acquired forward Calvin Harris from FC Cincinnati, a Generation Adidas product from the 2021 draft. The Rapids sent $200,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to Cincinnati, $100,000 in 2023 GAM and another $100,000 in 2024 GAM, plus, up to $175,000 in conditional payments if Harris reaches multiple performance metrics.
Harris, 22, will occupy both a supplemental roster spot as well as take up an international slot on the Rapids’ roster. He spent the last two seasons in Ohio where he made 26 appearances across all senior competitions, scoring once, adding two assists and tallying over 600 minutes. He also scored three times in six MLS NEXT Pro playoff games. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 SuperDraft.
For Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith, the move adds depth to a position where a future succession plan could be in place with veterans Diego Rubio and Michael Barrios already under contract.
“Calvin is a versatile and dynamic forward who has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential,” Smith said. “He’s a player we monitored closely ahead of the 2021 SuperDraft given his qualities and we’re excited to bring him into an environment where we believe he can develop and take the next step in his career.”
Harris is originally from Middlesbrough, England, but grew up in Hong Kong. After he joined New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix academy, he had a strong college career at Wake Forest. He spent two seasons in Winston-Salem and was an ACC All-Freshman in 2019, totaling 10 goals and five assists in 32 appearances for the Demon Deacons.
The move is reminiscent of bringing in other talented prospects who started their careers elsewhere in MLS, such as Auston Trusty, who arrived as a 21-year-old from the Philadelphia Union academy and is now with Arsenal on loan at English Championship side Birmingham City. Jonathan Lewis, who arrived in Commerce City in 2019 as a 22-year-old, two years after he was the No. 3 overall SuperDraft pick from New York City FC, is another example.
It marks the second time in the last two seasons Colorado acquired a player from The Queen City, as defender Gustavo Vallecilla arrived last season. The Rapids owe the Eastern Conference team $400,000 in 2023 GAM for that acquisition.
In Wednesday’s SuperDraft, Colorado holds the Nos. 3 and 12 spots in the first round, in addition to the 41st (second round,12th pick) and 70th (third round, 12th pick) selections.
