COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids have traded for winger Jonathan Lewis, in exchange for $650,000 in 2020 targeted allocation money with New York City FC and a 2020 international roster spot. In addition Wednesday, they acquired centerback Lalas Abubakar from the Columbus Crew on a one-year loan.
The 21-year-old Lewis (5-foot-7, 150 pounds) is described as a speedy and dynamic attacking option. He had spent the last three seasons with NYCFC most notably as a substitute in 2018 where he notched a goal and three assists in 219 minutes of action.
In January, Lewis received his first cap for the United States Men’s National Team. Lewis, from Plantation, Fla., won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship with United States U20 before joining the senior team where he has since made four appearances.
The third overall pick of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Lewis, was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in his lone season at the University of Akron.
Abubakar, who comes to Colorado in exchange for $125,000 in 2019 TAM, made 31 appearances across two seasons with Columbus and scored two goals. The 6-footer was the fifth overall pick out of Dayton in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Lewis has only 25 career MLS appearances and signals perhaps a change in strategy by recently named interim head coach Conor Casey, who wants to become more aggressive. Colorado’s forward unit consisting of Kei Kamara, Diego Rubio, Andre Shinyashiki and Nicolás Mezquida has netted 14 goals which ranks 11th best in MLS. Lewis is the only true winger of the bunch and given Rubio’s suspension due to a red card for the Real Salt Lake game on Saturday, there’s a chance Lewis plays immediately.
