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Three new players have officially been added to the 2019 Colorado Rapids roster—homegrowns Sam Raben and Matt Hundley, and 5th overall SuperDraft pick Andre Shinyashiki. Shinyashiki might not be a homegrown, but has spent the last four years destroying the competition at DU and with the Rapids U23 PDL/USL2 team. (You can read more about Shinyashiki here.)
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The 21-year-old Sam Raben has been signed to a one-year contract. The defender has been a part of the Rapids Development Academy since the U18/19s and also played with the U23 squad in 2017 and 2018. Raben’s college career included 91 starts for Wake Forest and helping his team earn 46 clean sheets.
Matt Hundley, 18, has been a member of the U18/19 team, and the U17 and U19 US Men’s National Teams (he’s participating in this month’s U19 January camp). The striker played one season at UCLA and had 19 appearances (14 starts). With five goals and seven assists, Hundley led the team in scoring. He signed a four-year contract today.
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At the press conference today, Colorado Rapids’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Pádraig Smith said that “today we take another step forward with the signings of Colorado natives Sam Raben and Matt Hundley. With the support of their families and our academy coaches both of these young men take the next step in their professional careers.”
Welcome to the Rapids!