The Colorado Rapids announced that Sebastian Anderson became the 11th Development Academy player to sign with the club. With Anderson becoming the youngest player in the club's history, we thought it would be a good idea to count down past Homegrown signings from oldest to youngest on the day they were announced.
Sam Raben | 21 Years, 249 Days | Signed on January 15, 2019
Sam Raben became the tenth Development Academy player to sign a Homegrown contract with the Rapids. Before joining the first team, the 21-year-old defender spent four years at Wake Forest. He is tied for third in program history with 91 starts, and tied for seventh with 91 career games played. Raben served as the anchor of the defense helping Wake Forest post 14 shutouts, as well as a top-five goals-against average in the nation in 2017. In the Academy, the 21-year-old defender played two seasons with the U-23s and represented the Rapids at the U-19 level.
Where are they now?: On loan with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Ricardo Perez | 21 Years, 221 Days | Signed on January 6, 2017
The Rapids signed Ricardo Perez to a Homegrown contract on January 6, 2018. He made his Rapids debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup clash with Oklahoma City Energy FC on June 13, 2017. The 23-year-old midfielder also played 90 minutes in the Round of 16 loss at FC Dallas on June 27. In 2018, Perez was sent on loan to the Charlotte Independence of USL, where he made 14 appearances, one from the start.
Where are they now?: Lansing Ignite FC (USL League One)
Steven Emory | 21 Years, 182 Days | Signed on March 1, 2011
Steven Emory was discovered by the Rapids at an open tryout in January 2011. He signed a contract three months later on March 1, 2011. The 21-year-old midfielder made his first professional appearance in a U.S. Open Cup match against Chicago Fire on March, 30, 2011.
Where are they now?: Retired from professional soccer
Kortne Ford | 20 Years, 346 Days | Signed on January 6, 2017
Kortne Ford joined the Rapids on January 6, 2017. During his rookie season, Ford was named to the MLS Homegrown roster for their match against Chivas de Guadalajara U-20 side at Toyota Park on August 1. He scored a late equalizer to level the score 2-2. He scored his first MLS goal with the Rapids in a 1-0 home win over Sporting Kansas City on May 27, 2017, which awarded him Man of the Match honors and had him placed on the MLS Team of the Week. Overall, the 23-year-old defender has made 35 appearances, 33 from the start and has scored one goal for the Rapids.
Where are they now?: Currently on the 2019 roster
Dillon Serna | 18 Years, 295 Days | Signed on January 14, 2013
Dillon Serna was signed by the Rapids as a Homegrown player on January 14, 2013. He made his first MLS appearance against Vancouver Whitecaps FC as he subbed on in the 77th minute. Serna converted one of the top goals in 2014 MLS season when he volleyed his shot past Bill Hamid at D.C. United on August 17. His goal was listed in SportsCenter’s Top-10 that evening and also voted Week 23 AT&T Goal of the Week. Overall, Serna has made 96 appearances, 53 from the start, and has scored nine goals and added seven assists with the Rapids.
Where are they now?: Currently on the 2019 roster
Shane O'Neill | 18 Years, 291 Days | Signed on June 29, 2012
The Rapids signed Shane O'Neill to a Homegrown contract on June 19, 2012. The 18-year-old defender made his professional debut three months later on September 6 in a 3–0 victory over the Portland Timbers. Overall, O'Neill made 52 appearance with the Rapids.
Where are they now?: Currently onOrlando City SC 2019 roster
Davy Armstrong | 18 Years, 286 Days | Signed on August 16, 2010
Davy Armstrong signed with the Rapids on August 16, 2010 as the team’s first-ever Homegrown player. Armstrong made his professional debut in a CONCACAF Champions League game against Isidro Metapán in 2011. He made his MLS debut on October 27, 2012 as he subbed in for Jeff Larentowicz in the 86th minute against the Houston Dynamo. In 2013, Armstrong went on loan with Phoenix FC. Overall, he made three appearances with the Colorado Rapids before signing with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in 2015 where he made 48 appearance from 2015-2017.
Where are they now?: Retired from professional soccer
Sam Vines | 18 Years, 268 Days | Signed on February 23, 2018
Sam Vines became the seventh Development Academy player to sign a first-team contract. The 18-year-old defender signed a three-year Homegrown contract on February 23, 2018. Vines spent the majority of the 2018 season on loan with the Charlotte Independence of USL, where he made 29 appearances, 25 from the start and logged 2,303 minutes. He made his MLS debut with the Rapids on October 21, 2018 against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Where are they now?: Currently on the 2019 roster
Matt Hundley | 18 Years, 249 Days | Signed on January 15, 2019
The Rapids signed Matt Hundley to a four-year Homegrown contract on January 15, 2019, making him the ninth Development Academy player to sign a first-team contract with the club. In 2018, Hundley was named to the US Soccer Development Academy Best XI as he scored 22 goals in 24 appearances. As a freshman at UCLA, the 18-year-old led the team in scoring with five goals and seven assists (17 points). He earned All Pac-12 Second Team honors and was named to Top Drawer Soccer's Freshman Best XI. Overall, Hundley made 19 appearances, 14 from the start during his freshman year at UCLA before joining the Rapids.
Where are they now?: On loan with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Cole Bassett | 17 Years, 13 Days | Signed on August 10, 2018
Cole Bassett was the eighth Development Academy player to sign a Homegrown contract with the Rapids. Just a few short months into his career, Bassett really made a name for himself and caught the eyes of many throughout MLS. On September 8, 2018, the 17-year-old midfielder became the youngest player in club history to make his professional debut when he subbed on in the 71st minute against the Portland Timbers. Then just a few weeks later (October 14, 2018) he became the youngest player in Rapids history to earn a start (17 years, 42 days). He added another accolade when he scored his first professional goal on October 28, 2018 against FC Dallas, making him the youngest player to score for the Rapids. Overall, Bassett has made 10 appearances, six from the start for the Rapids and has scored one goal.
Where are they now?: Currently on the 2019 roster
Sebastian Anderson | 16 Years, 238 Days | Signed on April 3, 2019
The Colorado Rapids signed 16-year-old defender Sebastian Anderson to a Homegrown contract on April 3, 2019. The Thunder Ridge High School junior became the 11th Development Academy player, and youngest in club history, to sign a first team contract with the club. He represented the Rapids in the Academy with the U-17s, U-19s and played with the U-23s in their final game of the regular season in 2018.
Where are they now?: Currently on the 2019 roster
