COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have acquired midfielder Felipe Gutiérrez from Chilean side C.D. Universidad Católica on loan for the remainder of the 2022 MLS season, the club announced today. Sporting Kansas City will receive $50,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Rapids in exchange for Gutiérrez’s MLS priority.
“Felipe is an experienced player at the highest levels of the game and brings additional quality and depth to the club at a key juncture in the season,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “His ability to dictate tempo and control games, along with his familiarity with MLS, will be an asset as we continue our push to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season.”
Gutiérrez joins the Rapids after spending the past two seasons with Universidad Católica in Chile’s Primera División, his second spell at the club after making his professional debut with the side in 2009. The Quintero, Chile, native has recorded 27 goals and 26 assists from 134 appearances across all competitions during his two stints with La Católica (2009-2012; 2021-present), winning a league title in each. Following his first four seasons with the Chilean side, Gutiérrez spent seven years in Europe, first in the Netherland’s Eredivisie with FC Twente and later with Spain’s Real Betis in La Liga. In total, Gutiérrez logged 11 goals and nine assists from 124 appearances overseas across all competitions, including the Europa League and Copa del Rey, and was named the Eredivisie’s Most Valuable Player during his 2013-14 season with Twente. The midfielder briefly returned to South America on loan with Brazil’s S.C. Internacional in 2017 before moving to Major League Soccer as a Designated Player with Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2018 season. Gutiérrez spent two seasons with SKC, finishing as the club’s top scorer and team MVP during the 2019 season. In all, he recorded 19 goals and eight assists from 63 appearances across all competitions with the Midwestern side before rejoining Universidad Católica in 2021.
At the international level, Gutiérrez has represented Chile’s senior national team 35 times, including appearances at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Copa América, which Chile won.
TRANSACTION:
Colorado Rapids acquire midfielder Felipe Gutiérrez from Universidad Católica on loan for the remainder of the 2022 MLS season on August 3, 2022.
Felipe Gutiérrez
Pronunciation: goo-tee-EH-res
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 141
Birthdate: October 8, 1990
Birthplace: Quintero, Chile
Last Club: Universidad Católica (Chile)
Nationality: Chilean
