COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have loaned goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez, defenders Sebastian Anderson and Michael Edwards, midfielder Philip Mayaka and forward Matt Hundley to USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the 2021 season, the club announced today. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Rapids retain the right to recall all players at any point during the remainder of the MLS regular season, subject to all MLS roster compliance guidelines.
“These loans will give Abe, Seb, Matt, Philip and Mike an opportunity to earn valuable playing time as they look to take the next step in their development,” said Pádraig Smith, Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “All five are young talents with great potential and who we believe can grow into successful players at the top level. This requires consistent playing time, however, so we’re pleased to be able to provide them with the opportunity to gain more experience through our partnership with Switchbacks FC.”
Anderson, 18, came up through the Rapids Academy and signed a Homegrown Player contract with Colorado in April 2019, making six career MLS appearances since. At 16 years old, Anderson was the youngest player to debut for the club and also became the youngest player ever to score a goal in MLS for Colorado.
Rodriguez has made 21 appearances over the past two years for Colorado Springs and was named USL Championship Player of the Week after making 11 saves in his professional debut in March 2019. The 18-year-old from Thornton, Colo., also earned recognition as one of the USL Championship’s 20 Under 20 in 2019.
Edwards joined the Rapids earlier this month from German side VfL Wolfsburg after Colorado acquired his Homegrown Priority from D.C. United. The 20-year-old center-back made 14 appearances for Wolfsburg’s U-19s before being promoted to Wolfsburg II in the Regionalliga Nord, the German fourth tier, in July 2019. Edwards made 17 appearances for the reserve side, all of them starts, and also trained with Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga squad during his time with the club.
A native of Nairobi, Kenya, Mayaka was selected third overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft out of Clemson University. In 2019, Mayaka was named ACC Freshman of the Year and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to the top men’s and women’s college soccer players. The 20-year-old was a key part of Clemson’s 2020 ACC Tournament championship squad.
Hundley, 20, spent the previous season on loan with Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship, scoring two goals in 10 appearances. The Littleton, Colo., native was the 10th Rapids Academy product to sign a Homegrown contract with the club in January 2019.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids loan goalkeeper Abraham Rodrgieuz, defenders Sebastian Anderson and Michael Edwards, midfielder Philip Mayaka and forward Matt Hundley to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the 2021 USL Championship season on March 29, 2021.
