The MLS SuperDraft resumed Tuesday with Rounds 3 and 4 conducted via teleconference. Through the first two rounds of the draft last Thursday, the Rapids selected Emmanuel Appiah (Cincinnati) and Dennis Castillo (VCU). In the midst of those selections they also exchanged money and an allocation ranking with a few different teams in the league, yet they were no where close to being done.
Over the weekend they acquired Zack Pfeffer, from the Philidaphia Union, which was followed by sending goaltender Clint Irwin to Toronto.
In the third round with the 43rd pick overall, the Rapids selected goalkeeper Chris Froschauer out of Ohio State. Froschauer, who was named 2015 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, played every single minute his last season at Ohio State and posted ten shutouts through 19 games. Prior to his time at Ohio State, Froschauer was a transfer from Dayton, where he was a three-year starter. After trading goalie Clint Irwin, the Rapids will be anxious to see what this mature, talented and experienced goalkeeper has to offer.
NEWS: With the 43rd pick of the MLS #SuperDraft, the #Rapids96 select GK Chris Froschauer from Ohio State.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 19, 2016
Using a pick from the Pfeffer trade with Toronto FC on Jan. 18, the Rapids selected Javan Torre 56th overall in the third round. Torre, a defender from UCLA, spent all four seasons playing with the UCLA Bruins. Throughout his career he played in 56 games, started 29 of them, help the defense post 17 shutouts and collected five points. He was also named to the U.S. National Team for U-18’s and the U-20’s, where he consistently started and played all 90 minutes.
NEWS: With the 56th pick of the @MLS #SuperDraft, the #Rapids select Javan Torre from UCLA.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 19, 2016
Before the third round had come to an end, the Rapids made one more selection just two picks later. At 58th, the Colorado Rapids selected UNLV defender Bradley Kamdem. The pick was part of a larger trade with the FC Dallas team from last week. Kamdem played for the Rebels three out of his four years – he transferred from Huntington University after his freshman year. In his UNLV career Kamdem played in 49 games, starting 48 of them and collected 15 points across goals and assists. He helped the defense post a league-best 10 shutouts while only allowing 26 total goals.
NEWS: With the 58th pick of the @MLS #SuperDraft, the #Rapids96 select Bradley Kamdem from UNLV.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 19, 2016
With the Colorado Rapids only selection in the fourth round, they selected John Manga, a forward out of the University of Cincinnati. Despite battling injuries his senior year, Manga played in 12 games throughout the season. Finishing his career with 16 goals and five assists, Manga was named First Team All American his junior year and Second Team All-American his senior year.
NEWS: With the 63rd pick of the @MLS #SuperDraft, the #Rapids96 select forward John Manga from the @GoBEARCATS.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 19, 2016
Looking back to the Colorado Rapids 2015 selections in rounds three and four of the SuperDraft, only one of the players, Dominque Badji, has actually logged any MLS minutes. Matt Jeffery, Brandon Fricke, Dimitry Imbongo and Geoffrey Castilian were also drafted during the later rounds, however are currently playing for either the Charlotte Independence (the USL affiliate of the Rapids) or clubs in Europe. Regardless of whether or not we actually get to see these players in an MLS game this season, the Colorado Rapids are exited to have them.
The 2016 @MLS #SuperDraft has concluded. Make sure to welcome, Bradley, Javan, @TheJohnManga11 and @cmoney__11 to the squad!
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 19, 2016