COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids will have left back Luis Zapata available on Saturday afternoon for their season opener, thanks to an International Transfer Request (ITC) going through Thursday morning.
Zapata’s availability for Saturday’s First Kick opener against the Columbus Crew looked in serious doubt Wednesday night, when the Rapids revealed that the Colombian defender still did not have his ITC, a registration requirement for players moving between international leagues. But now that his clearance is taken care of, Zapata can now fully concentrate on soccer and not about paperwork.
“I’m happy, but I was calm,” the 31-year-old Zapata, signed just last month, told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. “I’m very excited, I’ve been waiting a long time to make my debut.”
However, while Zapata’s clearance is through, as of the end of the business day Thursday, the Rapids still had yet to receive clearances for new midfielders Martín Rivero and Kohei Yamada, putting their availability for Saturday’s game in jeopardy. Both players practiced Thursday but will not be available unless their respective ITCs come through by kickoff (6 pm ET) on Saturday.
Rivero’s absence could be of particular disappointment to Rapids fans after his highly-publicized acquisition from Argentine club Rosario Central last month. The 22-year-old is expected to be an immediate contributor off the bench for his new club.
Meanwhile, Colorado head coach Oscar Pareja is simply relieved to have Zapata available once again at a position of critical need for the team, especially with backups Hunter Freeman and Anthony Wallace unavailable due to injury.
“Luis is a natural left back that the team missed last year, a guy who is natural in his position,” Pareja told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. “He is going to be an upgrade for sure.”
