The Colorado Rapids continued their activity on the market Wednesday, making their third transaction of the past 24 hours. In the first trade that has included jettisoning a player from their roster, veteran midfielder Benny Feilhaber was sent back to Sporting KC, where he previously spent five years.
In exchange for Feilhaber, the Rapids received center back Abdul Rwatubyaye and a draft pick and a 2019 international roster spot, $50,000 in 2019 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) as well as a second-round pick in the 2020 SuperDraft. Additionally, the Rapids swapped positions in the Waiver Order with Sporting.
Feilhaber is serving as a season-ending injury replacement player for Kansas City and as part of the trade. Colorado received $250,000 from KC’s season-ending injury replacement player allowance.
Rwatubyaye (6-foot-1, 175-pounds) is native of Rwanda who has appeared for their national team 23 times including in the FIFA World Cup. The 22-year-old was signed by Sporting KC in February to a one-year deal his contract includes options for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The young defender has only gotten onto an MLS pitch twice, starting one game for Sporting this season. Prior to coming across the Atlantic, Rwatubyaye played for Rayon Sports FC of the top-flight Rwanda Premier League where in six years as a professional he won three Rwanda Premier League titles.
Feilhaber was signed by the Rapids as a free agent in January. Brought on to be an attacking forward in the midfield, a preseason procedure slowed his endurance as he was often subbed off later in matches. Still, Feilhaber started seven games and played in nine, notching two goals.
Feilhaber’s position was filled by U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Kellyn Acosta last week against Vancouver as the Rapids have moved the usually more defensive-minded Acosta up the field in hopes of boosting his confidence.
Rwatubyaye may factor in right away for the Rapids, who also acquired defender Lalas Abubakar from the Columbus Crew on a one-year loan. Through 10 winless games, Colorado’s defense is on pace to allow the most goals in MLS history. Interim head coach Conor Casey, who made his in a loss to Vancouver on Saturday, transitioned the backline from four to three men. Both Rwatubyaye and Abubakar represent new options for the struggling unit.
Feilhaber won the 2013 MLS Cup with Sporting KC and was likely brought back to bolster a club who has gone winless in seven straight matches who have lost five starters to injury.
