COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Thursday, February 28, 2013) – The Colorado Rapids have acquired Danny Mwanga, a 21-year-old forward and the first overall SuperDraft pick in 2010, in a trade with the Portland Timbers. In exchange, Colorado sends its first round 2015 SuperDraft pick to Portland.
“Danny is a young, exciting forward who has proven his ability to make an impact in MLS,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “He will be a good fit for our system and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into our squad.”
Mwanga joined MLS as the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union, where he scored seven goals with four assists in his first season and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year. He played 24 games in 2010 and 28 in 2011, scoring five goals and adding four assists in his second year. In 2012, a midseason trade sent the forward to the Timbers, where he notched three goals in 18 appearances (seven starts). In his MLS career, Mwanga has 15 goals and nine assists in 79 games (42 starts).
Originally from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mwanga moved to Portland in 2006, starring for his high school before playing at Oregon State University. In his two collegiate seasons, Mwanga scored 18 goals and added two assists in 29 matches, being named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2009 and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2010. After his sophomore season, he was named a second team All-American and a finalist for the Hermann Trophy.
The Rapids start the 2013 season this Saturday, March 2, visiting FC Dallas at 6:30 p.m. MT with a live broadcast on Altitude. Colorado plays its home opener on Saturday, March 9 against the Philadelphia Union, kicking off at 4:00 p.m. MT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.ColoradoRapids.com or call 303-825-GOAL.
TRANSACTION: The Rapids acquire forward Danny Mwanga in a trade with the Portland Timbers, in exchange for Colorado’s 2015 first round MLS SuperDraft pick.
