Colorado Rapids Soccer Club announced today the acquisition of Vancouver Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder Nicolás Mezquidaand $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) in exchange for goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Mezquida becomes the first addition to the Rapids attacking front since the conclusion of the 2018 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nicolás Mezquida to Colorado,” said Rapids Executive Vice President & General Manager, Pádraig Smith. “He is a creative and dangerous playmaker who fits well into our playing philosophy of dominating ball possession and pressing high up the pitch.”
Mezquida, 26, a native of Paysandú, Uruguay, came up through the youth ranks at Uruguayan power Peñarol. He joined the senior team at the age of 16 in 2008 and would go on to play for Peñarol for four seasons with two loan spells at Norwegian sides Brann and Lillestrøm during his time with the club.
The attacking midfielder returned to Uruguay’s top-flight after joining Centro Atlético Fénix in 2012 and a loan period with Rampla Juniors in 2013 before coming to Major League Soccer in 2014 with Vancouver. Mezquida spent the last five seasons with the Whitecaps and made 101 appearances, tallying 12 goals along the way. During his time in Vancouver, he helped the Whitecaps advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in club history in 2016.
Internationally, Mezquida made three appearances during the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, recording one goal for his country. The Uruguayan also played 12 matches with the U-15 national team, notching 10 goals in the process.
“I’m excited to take this next step in my career with the Rapids. I want to bring my qualities as a playmaker to Colorado and contribute to the team’s offense,” said Mezquida.
MacMath, a St. Petersburg, Florida native who joined the Rapids from Philadelphia in 2015, made 31 appearances for the club.
“Zac is a top professional and has been an important part of our club over the last few years. His performances on the field and his commendable work in the community will not be forgotten,” said Smith. “We would like to thank him for his contributions to the club since joining the Rapids in 2015 and wish him and his family all the best.”
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids – December 9, 2018 – Colorado Rapids have acquired attacking midfielder Nicolás Mezquida and $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in return for goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Full Name: Nicolás Mezquida
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 150 lbs.
Birth Date: January 21, 1992
Birthplace: Paysandú, Uruguay
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
