Commerce City, Colo. - The search for depth at left back has gone international. Colombian Luis Eduardo Zapata arrived in Colorado Wednesday and took part in the Rapids only preseason session Thursday morning, lining up at left back in the full-field 11-v-11 drills.
The native of Cali, Colombia has played with various clubs in Colombia's top division, including Millonairos, Deportivo Cali, and America de Cali. He also played one season in both Venezuela (Caracas) and Bolivia's top division.
A quick internet search has various Colombian media pointing out that he's been nicknamed "El Morumbi," the name of the stadium in Brazil in which he scored the game-winning goal for Millionarios against Brazilian power Sao Paolo in the 2007 Copa Sudamericana that advanced his club to the semifinals.
He appeared in two Copa Libertadores matches in 2011 with Bolivian side Jorge Wilstermann.
Zapata will continue his trial with the Rapids and travel with the group to California Saturday for the second phase of preseason, where the team will play preseason matches against Chivas USA and the San Jose Earthquakes next week.
