The Colorado Rapids added four players via last week’s MLS SuperDraft and Tuesday’s Supplemental Draft, and three of those picks were defenders.
With the last pick of Tuesday's Supplemental Draft, the reigning MLS champions added Trinidad native Javed Mohammed (above right) from the University of South Florida. Mohammed joins fellow defenders Eddie Ababio (below), of the University of North Carolina and Michigan State's Colin Givens, who were picked up in the SuperDraft.
Mohammed is a left-back specialist.
“It’s always difficult to come by left backs and [Mohammed] looks athletic and attacking,” head coach Gary Smith told MLSsoccer.com.
Despite the offseason departures of Julien Baudet and Danny Earls, the Rapids back four looks pretty set for the upcoming season.
[inline_node:325999]Barring injury or sudden loss of form, Drew Moor and Marvell Wynne will anchor central defense with Kosuke Kimura and Anthony Wallace guarding and attacking down the flanks. Scott Palguta remains a tried-and-tested backup either in the center or at left back.
The addition of three defensive draft picks, therefore, looks more like an opportunity to fill roster spots with potential rather than players that can immediately challenge for starting positions.
Under Smith, draft picks have generally not earned much playing time since he took over in November 2008.
The Rapids also selected forward Phil Bannister (above left) as the 36th overall pick in the second round of the Supplemental Draft. An Englishman from the Newcastle area, the high-scoring Loyola standout netted 10 times last season in just nine games before injury curtailed his final college season.
Smith said he relied heavily on technical director Paul Bravo to help with the final two draft picks.
“Paul was highly complimentary about [Bannister's] attributes," Smith said. "These guys will compete for the apprentice slots and will hopefully be good guys to have around moving forward.”
Smith has said he is still looking for an experienced forward as backup to Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. He has also said he would like a creative midfielder to boost the ranks.
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