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Only two MLS teams chose to utilize the MLS Waiver draft. The Colorado Rapids were one of them, as they selected Kip Colvey in this afternoon’s draft to be a part of the 2018 team. Colvey, a defender, played in limited duty in 2016 with the San Jose Earthquakes, getting 315 minutes over 3 starts and 1 substitute appearance. He earned an assist in a match on March 15, 2016 in a win against the Portland Timbers. He spent 2017 on loan to Reno 1868 in the USL.
The other MLS team that made a move in the Waiver Draft was Montreal Impact, who claimed former LA Galaxy goalkeeper Clement Diop.
Rapids Director of Communications Ryan Madden had this to say about Colvey:
Versatile defender, who can play on both the left and right side. Will be added to the club’s supplemental roster. https://t.co/2jNvkY0OCI
— Ryan Madden (@Ry_Madden) December 13, 2017
The move reunites new Rapids boss Anthony Hudson with Colvey, who played left back for New Zealand. Colvey has serious big game experience, as he has 15 caps with the Kiwis. He also started both legs of the critical home-and-away series with Peru that ultimately knocked New Zealand out of the 2018 World Cup.
Colvey is 23 years old. He was born in Hawaii, raised in New Zealand, and returned to the US to play NCAA soccer with Cal Poly. He does not occupy a international slot, and his status as an addition to the supplemental roster means that his salary will not count against the MLS cap. It also means he will earn a non-guaranteed MLS minimum salary for the 2018 season.
To end the 2017 season, the Rapids parted ways with Mekeil Williams. Connor Cape of Mile High Sports reported that they planned to loan out Mike da Fonte for all of 2018. That leaves Eric Miller, and now Kip Colvey, as the only players on the Rapids roster with experience playing at left back.
The next roster-related event on the MLS calendar is the first stage of the Re-Entry Draft, which happens this Friday, December 15, at 1pm MST. Clubs in Major League Soccer may also tender offers to current MLS Free Agent players, who became available beginning yesterday. MLS teams are also concurrently evaluating NCAA talent ahead of the 2018 Superdraft, which occurs in January, and are certainly busy preparing for out-of-league transfers.