In December, the Rapids stayed busy. The postseason stretch at the end of an exciting 2021 brought many hellos and goodbyes, news for the 2022 season, and an inside look into what your favorite players got up to while on break.
Player Movement
To kick off the postseason, the Rapids signed winger Michael Barrios to a one-year contract extension through the 2022 MLS season, with a club option for the 2023 season on December 2nd, 2021. Colorado also exercised the contract options for Kellyn Acosta, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Andre Shinyashiki at the beginning of the month.
On December 23rd, the Rapids acquired the MLS rights to Bryan Acosta from FC Dallas with the second selection in the Stage 2 Re-Entry Draft. The club also acquired the number two slot in the Waiver Order from Toronto FC.
A regularly-updated breakdown of all offseason player movement can be found on the official Rapids Transaction Tracker here.
Across the Pond
Overseas, Rapids youngsters Darren Yapi and Yaya Toure spent time training in North London with Arsenal. The two 17-year-old Homegrowns played the majority of the 2021 season on loan with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
Yapi scored two goals in 16 appearances for the Switchbacks in 2021 after signing his Homegrown contract with the Rapids in March. The Colorado native also trained with Club Brugge in Belgium during his stint overseas.
Toure found the back of the net three times in 22 appearances in the USL last season. He made his MLS debut in July against the San Jose Earthquakes. The winger also trained with Scottish power Rangers during his offseason visit.
Making USMNT History
Shortly after the Rapids’ season came to a close, US head coach Gregg Berhalter announced his December camp roster, featuring three Rapids players. National team mainstay Kellyn Acosta and younger teammates Cole Bassett and Auston Trusty found their names on the list ahead of the international matchup with Bosnia & Herzegovina on December 18.
In the 1-0 victory, Homegrown Bassett made his international debut and scored the lone goal in the 89th minute. The win marked the US’s 17th in a calendar year, the most in program history.
Earlier in the night, Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta made history of his own as he appeared for the 21st time for the US in 2021, in doing so he became the first player to hit that mark since 1994.
The Rapids on Holiday
This holiday season, Rapids players spent time with family, friends and loved ones. Vacations, engagements, and well-deserved R&R were on the off-season docket to close out a momentous 2021 and prepare for the new year.
We can already hear the wedding bells––Rapids midfielder Jack Price got down on one knee and proposed to now-fiance Lauren over the holidays.
“Mum and Dad night away 💍❤️ can’t wait to make you my wife!! Love you Mrs Price to be 👸🏼” Price said in an Instagram post chronicling the moment. Congratulations to the happy couple!
What better way to spend the holiday than soaking up some sun? Many members of the Rapids squad took to the tropics with loved ones this month.
Close to home: For these Rapids players, it was all about connecting with family over the break.
