Editorial (August 7, 2018) – Late last week, the Colorado Rapids traded an international roster slot to Minnesota United FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). This move effectively ended anything interesting happening for the Rapids this transfer window.

Trading International Roster Slot effectively ends Colorado Rapids transfer window

The MLS summer transfer window closes tomorrow (Wednesday, August 8, 2018). As of this time last week, the Rapids had one open international roster spot. They also had an open Designated Player slot. Depending on the calculation and a few assumptions, they possibly have some Targeted Allocation Money to spare.

International slots renew on a yearly basis. The Rapids have dealt and acquired a number of them over the last two years. Either they were going to use their excess slot to sign a player (by signing an international or exchanging it for other assets to then make another move) or they would lose it. Ironically, the Rapids had acquired an international slot from Minnesota earlier this year in the Eric Miller-Sam Nicholson trade.

With Kellyn Acosta joining the team, that seemed to close the book on the Rapids wheeling and dealing this summer. Acosta was the main acquisition with an effective swap of Giles Barnes in for Joe Mason giving them team some flexibility for the future. Any chance of the team adding one final impact piece to help make a run to the MLS Cup Playoffs ended with trading that last international roster slot to the Loons.

The team was still in need of some central attacking help. One could argue some depth and competition on the back line would have been helpful. Then there’s the fact that the club parted ways with the two highest scorers on the team this window in Mason and Dominique Badji. Among current players, there is a five-way tie for the team Golden Boot (two goals) right now that included Acosta.

Manager Anthony Hudson will have to make due with what he has at this point. The team is 14 points below the red line with 12 games to go. Making the playoffs from their current position would be a comeback unprecedented in MLS history.