Rapids 2 have acquired defender Blake Malone for the remainder of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season with an option for the 2023 season, the club announced today.
“Blake is a player we became familiar with back in his club soccer days in Las Vegas. He is a versatile enough defender to be effective in both a back three and a back four and good enough on the ball to support our style of play in the attack. We look forward to getting him integrated quickly as the club approaches a very busy period,” said Rapids 2 General Manager Brian Crookham.
The 21-year-old centerback joins Rapids 2 from USL Championship club Orange County SC. During the 2021 season, Malone was loaned out to USL League One side Union Omaha where he made 13 appearances leading up to the USL League One championship match. A product of the Seattle Sounders Academy, Malone started his career in 2018 after signing an amateur contract with USL’s Tacoma Defiance. After spending most of the 2019 season playing at the University of North Carolina, Malone made his return to the USL, signing with Orange County SC in January 2020.
Malone is expected to join Rapids 2 ahead of this weekend’s match versus Houston Dynamo 2. To view the full 2022 Rapids 2 roster, click here.
TRANSACTION:
Colorado Rapids 2 sign defender Blake Malone for the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Blake Malone
Pronunciation: mah-loan
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 181 lbs
Birthdate: March 23, 2001
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska
Nationality: USA
