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This afternoon, the Colorado Rapids announced that homegrown players Cole Bassett and Sebastian Anderson have been loaned to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Per most loan agreements with USL sides, the Rapids can recall either of the players at any time during the season.
Bassett, 18, has made 16 appearances for the Rapids this year, while Anderson, 17, has made 5 appearances. They both last played on July 20, 2019 and have been in the 18 as unused subs every game since then.
While it’s understandable that the Rapids sent them to the Switchbacks to get playing time and we have the depth in the positions, I’m also surprised by this move. It seemed as though there was a focus on getting the younger players minutes earlier in the season and they’re both solid sub options should the need arise. You could also argue that Bassett could’ve been helpful in the recent losses during which Conor Casey only used two subs, but I’m assuming he’ll get significant minutes with the Switchbacks.
Jake Shapiro of the Denver Post added this to the conversation:
I talked to #Rapids96 GM Pádraig Smith about this. He said it was nothing more than to give the two kids some more minutes.
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) August 23, 2019
Each will likely factor into US National Team squads soon as well and remain a big part of Colorado's future. https://t.co/Xcs5w3JRRB