COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 have signed goalkeeper Ethan Bandré ahead of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, the club announced today.
“Ethan has great experience as a winner in MLS NEXT Pro and has proven to be extremely talented in his time with our first team in preseason. With all three of our first team keepers in the mix with various national teams, Ethan will be an important part of our rotation. He is a great addition to our goalkeeping corps,” said Brian Crookham, Rapids 2 General Manager.
Bandré, 25, joins Rapids 2 after spending two seasons with fellow MLS NEXT Pro side Sporting KC II where he signed his first-ever professional contract ahead of the 2022 season. During the league’s most recent season, Bandré led Kansas City’s backline with three clean sheets in 14 appearances to help the team to a second place finish in the Frontier Division and a third place standing in the Western Conference. During the team’s inaugural season in MLS NEXT Pro, Bandré logged one clean sheet in five appearances.
The Kansas-born keeper spent five seasons playing at the collegiate level with stints at the University of the Pacific (2017-2019) in Stockton, California, and Northwestern University (2020-2021) in Evanston, Illinois. In his time with Pacific, Bandré redshirted during the 2017 season before helping the Tigers to their third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 2018 season when he made eight appearances between the sticks. Bandré found his stride during his senior year season in 2019, totaling 15 appearances as a West Coast Conference All-Academic First Team selection. Ahead of the 2020 season, Bandré transferred to Northwestern University where he recorded two shutouts in 10 matches across two seasons.
While in college, Bandré competed with USL League Two sides Kaw Valley FC (2018-2019) and Des Moines Menace (2021). Highlighting his time in USL League Two, Bandré made four appearances including two playoff starts during the 2021 season in which Des Moines claimed the title of USL League Two Champions.
Prior to collegiate play, Bandre attended Salina South High School and notably led his team to a 5A State Championship in 2015. He was a three-time KSHSSA First-Team All-State honoree as well as a two-time Kansas State Goalkeeper of the Year.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids 2 sign goalkeeper Ethan Bandré on February 7, 2024.
Ethan Bandré
Pronunciation: BAND-ree
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: September 14, 1998
Birthplace: Salina, Kansas
Nationality: United States
