COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have selected Generation adidas defender Moise Bombito from the University of New Hampshire (third overall) and goalkeeper Oliver Semmle from Marshall University (41st overall) in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. The Rapids also traded their 12th overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft to Charlotte FC in exchange for Charlotte’s natural first-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, $50,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and up to $50,000 in conditional GAM.
“The MLS SuperDraft remains a valuable avenue to acquire young talent and this year’s iteration was no different,” said Pádraig Smith, Executive VP & General Manager. “Moise is a player we were really impressed with during the MLS College Showcase and someone who brings high level of athleticism and quality on the ball to make an impact at the next level. “Oliver enjoyed an incredible collegiate career where he won a national title and earned various individual accolades, and he can bring quality competition within the club as we go into preseason. We’re delighted to have been able to select them with our picks this year.”
Bombito, 22, was named the 2022 America East Defender of the Year and was a Second-Team All-American selection after helping lead a New Hampshire defense that ranked third in the NCAA with a 0.5 goals against average in 2022. The 6-foot-3, Montreal native was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, as well as being named the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year and being selected to the All-ECAC First Team. Bombito started his collegiate career at Iowa Western Community College where he won the NJCAA National Championship in 2021 and also spent time in USL League 2 with Seacoast United Phantoms, scoring three goals across 10 appearances in 2022.
Semmle, a junior transfer to Marshall University, ranks second in program history with 19 career clean sheets during his two seasons with The Thundering Herd. The 24-year-old was part of the Marshall University side that won the 2020 College Cup and was named the 2020 Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year, along with earning the 2020 Conference USA Golden Glove Award (most shutouts in C-USA) and being named to the 2020 First Team All-Conference USA.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids select GA defender Moise Bombito third overall and goalkeeper Oliver Semmle 41st overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas; Rapids acquire Charlotte FC’s natural first-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, $50,000 in 2023 GAM and up to $50,000 in conditional GAM from Charlotte FC in exchange for the 12th overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
