Throughout the 2019 preseason, we'll be checking in from camps in Bradenton and Chula Vista as the Rapids prepare for their season opener on March 2. In this installment, we take a look at the roster that was invited to the first preseason camp in Florida and give an injury update.
The first preseason camp of 2019 offered the Rapids technical staff a chance to take a look at not only the core of the first team, but also the quartet of 2019 MLS SuperDraft picks, a number of Development Academy prospects as well as several other players who were invited to train.
On the international front, midfielder Kellyn Acosta joined up with the club on late last week and is getting up to speed after several weeks in USMNT camp. Defender Keegan Rosenberry remains with the USMNT and should join the Rapids in Chula Vista camp which begins on February 6.
"I am happy to be back with the boys," Acosta said. "Preseason is always tough but I was with the national team, so I had a pre-preseason. I am fit and ready to go. I am just excited to be back."
The first injury update of the season sees three notable names on the list. Forward Kei Kamara and defender Kortne Ford are currently in Colorado rehabbing their respective injuries and are expected to join the team in California, while midfielder Sam Nicholson is with the team in Florida.
Check back on ColoradoRapids.com or the Rapids social media outlets for an updated list of injuries & players who make the trip to Chula Vista for the second preseason camp of 2019.
Current First Team Roster
| POSITION | NUMBER | PLAYER |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | 1 | Tim Howard |
| Goalkeeper | 31 | Clint Irwin |
| Goalkeeper | 15 | Andre Rawls |
| Defender | 24 | Kortne Ford |
| Defender | 18 | Sam Raben |
| Defender | 2 | Keegan Rosenberry |
| Defender | 44 | Axel Sjöberg |
| Defender | 5 | Tommy Smith |
| Defender | 13 | Sam Vines |
| Defender | 4 | Danny Wilson |
| Defender | 27 | Deklan Wynne |
| Midfielder | 10 | Kellyn Acosta |
| Midfielder | 26 | Cole Bassett |
| Midfielder | 21 | Nana Boateng |
| Midfielder | 8 | Johan Blomberg |
| Midfielder | 6 | Benny Feilhaber |
| Midfielder | 20 | Nicolás Mezquida |
| Midfielder | 28 | Sam Nicholson |
| Midfielder | 19 | Jack Price |
| Midfielder | 17 | Dillon Serna |
| Forward | 11 | Shkëlzen Gashi |
| Forward | 29 | Matt Hundley |
| Forward | 12 | Niki Jackson |
| Forward | 23 | Kei Kamara |
| Forward | 7 | Diego Rubio |
| Forward | 99 | Andre Shinyashiki |
*See below for injury & international updates
Injury Report
PLAYER |
INJURY |
TiMETABLE |
DATE OF INJURY |
|---|---|---|---|
<strong><a href="/players/kortne-ford" target="_blank">Kortne Ford</a></strong> |
<p>Calf strain & bone bruise in knee</p> |
6-8 weeks** |
Dec. 12, 2018 |
<strong><a href="/players/kei-kamara" target="_blank">Kei Kamara</a></strong> |
Pulmonary contusion |
4-6 weeks** |
Jan. 16, 2019 |
<a href="/players/sam-nicholson" target="_blank"><strong>Sam Nicholson</strong></a> |
<p>Lumbar spine stress fracture</p> |
2-3 weeks** |
Jan. 21, 2019 |
**Timetable reflects player's estimated return to full training from date of injury
International Duty
POSITION |
NUMBER |
PLAYER |
COUNTRY |
|---|---|---|---|
Defender |
2 |
<a href="/players/keegan-rosenberry" target="_blank"><strong>Keegan Rosenberry</strong></a> |
U.S. |
Invited to Preseason Camp
POSITION |
PLAYER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|
Goalkeeper |
Abe Rodriguez |
Academy |
Defender |
Sebastian Anderson |
Academy |
Defender |
<a href="/players/marcello-borges" target="_blank"><strong>Marcello Borges</strong></a> |
2019 MLS SuperDraftee |
Defender |
<strong><a href="/players/jacob-hauser-ramsey" target="_blank">Jacob Hauser-Ramsey</a></strong> |
2019 MLS SuperDraftee |
Defender |
Kofi Opare |
Invited to train |
Midfielder |
<strong><a href="/players/robbie-mertz" target="_blank">Robbie Mertz</a></strong> |
2019 MLS SuperDraftee |
Midfielder |
Oliver Larraz |
Academy |
Midfielder |
Jordan Schweitzer |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |
Forward |
Enoch Mushagalusa |
Invited to train |
