Few teenagers have taken to the field for the Colorado Rapids, but among their number now walks one Caleb Calvert. He made his MLS debut last Friday in the 2-1 defeat at Real Salt Lake, entering after 61 minutes at Rio Tinto Stadium for Dominique Badji. Calvert was aged 19 years, 10 months and five days.
The California-born striker is not the youngest player to pull on a Rapids jersey. That honor rests on the shoulders of Seth Trembly. Trembly was just 18 years and 11 days when he replaced former Sweden and Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar for the final two minutes of a 3-0 loss to Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium on April 1, 2000.
Calvert has had to be patient. Although still young, his first appearance in MLS has been a long time coming. A product of the Chivas USA Academy, Calvert was initially committed to college soccer at UC Santa Barbara, a decision he took in early 2013. By July 5 of that year he had opted for the professional soccer path, signing a Homegrown contract with Chivas USA, when just 16 years and eight months.
He featured in a 2013 end-of-season exhibition game against FC Tucson, and in the Chipotle Homegrown game the following year, but a first-team appearance was not forthcoming. When Chivas USA folded at the end of the 2014 season, Calvert was taken by the Rapids in the dispersal draft.
For much of 2015, this young man continued to learn his trade, with time on loan at USL affiliate Charlotte Independence. After 20 appearances, of which just two were starts, Calvert had managed two goals and two assists. The 2016 season to date has been even brighter, with 20 starts in 21 appearances. He sits third on the club’s scoring charts, with six goals and two assists.
And now he has the first MLS minutes to his name, joining a select few that have represented the Rapids while still in their teenage years, including Shane O’Neill, Charles Eloundou, Dillon Serna and Fabrice Noel. Noel made his MLS debut one day shy of his 20th birthday.
