Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith has seen a lot of talent in the past few days in Florida at the MLS Combine. The trouble is, he’s unlikely to get hold of much of it in Thursday’s SuperDraft.
The MLS Cup champions don’t get their first pick until 17 other teams have used theirs and, by then, it may just be too late to pick up someone who can add to the group in any immediate way. As a result, Smith is tempted to trade away the draft pick for other more established targets he is attracted to outside of the whole draft experience.
“There’s been a lot of dialogue with other teams and other teams have been asking about our players,” Smith told MLSsoccer.com from Florida. “It has been helpful to be here to see what targets there may be both on and off the field.”
Smith’s focus in the offseason has been and will continue to be keeping his core group intact. That means ongoing negotiating contract extensions with a number of key individuals and not looking to looking to trade any of his existing squad.
Smith said there may be room for “one or two” players who could come through the draft process , later in the preseason or even early during the season and make a splash on the Rapids’ roster.
“Whether that’s a forward, someone who can add more depth generally to the back line or an attacking midfielder, we’ll have to see,” he said. “We will be waiting for the right person at the right moment.”
Smith has been courting an unidentified English player currently playing in the Greek league who may not be contractually available until the summer.
For now, though, the focus is on the draft. Just don’t expect the Rapids to necessarily select anybody. The real activity may come in the horse trading immediately before Thursday’s big day.
“By (Wednesday), most teams have had all their discussions and made their evaluations,” he said. “The night before the draft, there will be a little bit more movement and discussion of possible trades. There are a lot of people talking in corners.”
