COMMERCE CITY, CO. - The Colorado Rapids announced today the signing of Brazilian midfielder Rafael Gomes for the 2008 season.
"We welcome Rafael to the team with open arms," said head coach Fernando Clavijo. "His experience playing in one of the
Gomes' last club was CD Santa Clara in Portugal, but he had played professionally in Brazil since 2000. In his native country, Gomes played for Vasco de Gama, Bragantino, Olaria and Atletico Mineiro.
The Rio de Janeiro native was in the Vasco youth system for eight years and played on the U-15 and U-17 Brazilian National Teams with two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho.
In order to become compliant with the MLS salary cap and roster size, the Rapids did not offer contracts to midfielder Daniel Antunez and forward Kevin Forrest, and waived defender Chase Hilgenbrinck, midfielder Scott Campbell, defender Brandon Prideaux, midfielder Jose Cancela and defender Cliff Wilmes. Colorado signed defender Jordan Harvey to a senior roster contract and midfielder John DiRaimondo, midfielder Nick LaBrocca, goalkeeper Mike Graczyk, midfielder Brian Grazier and defender Cesar Zambrano to developmental roster contracts.
Rafael Gomes - Midfielder
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 168
DOB: December 7, 1980
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Last Club: CD Santa Clara (Portugal)
Transaction
MLS
Colorado Rapids - Signed Brazilian Midfielder Rafael Gomes, did not sign midfielder Daniel Antunez and forward Kevin Forrest, and waived defender Chase Hilgenbrinck, midfielder Scott Campbell, defender Brandon Prideaux, midfielder Jose Cancela and defender Cliff Wilmes. Colorado signed defender Jordan Harvey to a senior roster contract and midfielder John DiRaimondo, midfielder Nick LaBrocca, goalkeeper Mike Graczyk, midfielder Brian Grazier and defender Cesar Zambrano to developmental roster contracts.
