Colorado Rapids end-of-the-year roster update

The Colorado Rapids just released their end-of-the-year roster decisions, and most of the moves were pretty much expected.

Here’s the complete list from the club:

Under Contract

· Stefan Aigner

· Micheal Azira

· Dominique Badji

· Johan Blomberg

· Nana Boateng

· Caleb Calvert

· Mike da Fonte

· Kortne Ford

· Shkëlzen Gashi

· Marlon Hairston

· Tim Howard

· Zac MacMath

· Ricardo Perez

· Dillon Serna

· Axel Sjöberg

Picked Up Contract Options

· Jared Watts

· Eric Miller

· Sam Hamilton

Option Declined

· Mekeil Williams

· Mohammed Saeid

· John Berner

· Joshua Gatt

· Alan Gordon

· Dennis Castillo

Out of Contract/Loan Expired

· Luis Gil - Loan expired

· Bobby Burling - Out of contract

Some Thoughts

I’m really surprised (and sad) to see Mo Saeid on the option declined list considering that he was an integral part of our midfield this year. Add the declined option on Josh Gatt and the Cronin/Burch trade was pretty much for nothing at this point.

UPDATE:

https://twitter.com/Ry_Madden/status/935560038571057152

It was also surprising to see young players like John Berner and Dennis Castillo on their way out. I hope this means we’ll be bringing in some young players in the off-season.

I was wondering why Mike da Fonte is still on the roster, but the Denver Post reported that da Fonte is likely to spend the rest of his contract out on loan. It’s also reported that Calvert and Serna were both offered new contracts.

Coming up next is a half-day trade window on 12/10 and then a blackout period until the Expansion Draft concludes on 12/12. The Waiver Draft starts on 12/13, with Re-Entry Draft Stage 1 on 12/15 and Re-Entry Draft Stage 2 on 12/21.

I’m not sure what to make of this - what do you think?