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According to a league, the Colorado Rapids have agreed to trade Kellyn Acosta to LAFC, Tom Bogert of MLSSoccer.com was the first to report the deal on Friday.
Bogert details that the trade for the now staple of the United States Men’s National Team Midfield which sends the Rapids $1.5 million in General Allocation Money (GAM.) The deal is for an initial $1.1 million plus $400 thousand in incentives. The Rapids will retain a sell-on percentage.
LAFC and Colorado were recently trade partners for another blockbuster deal involving an int'l midfielder: Rapids acquired Mark-Anthony Kaye from LAFC last summer for $1m GAM + incentives and an int'l roster slot. (Rapids got a 1st round pick they traded for 125k GAM too).
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 14, 2022
As Bogert notes, Mark Anthony Kaye was sent to Colorado from LAFC’s midfield with some assets last summer for $1 million in GAM.
A source indicated to Burgundy Wave that the Rapids were working on an extension with Acosta, but the sides failed to come to terms. Colorado preferred to keep the midfielder but the numbers didn’t align. After years of European rumor transfer, most of it turned out to be smoke, with the real interest coming from other MLS teams.
Acosta responded to this story on Twitter by saying the Rapids had pushed him out of Colorado.
This narrative is sad. CO pushed me out. They had an offer for me on the table from abroad and ongoing interests and opted to trade me…
— Kellyn Acosta (@KellynAcosta) January 14, 2022
Later in the day Friday, a club spokesperson confirmed that no foreign offer was made to the Rapids at the time the trade was agreed to. Three hours after the deal was made in principle a European club asked for a one-year free loan with an option to buy.
Acosta followed up on Twitter by saying, “regardless of the matter, I enjoyed my time in Colorado and was with a great group of players and staff. We achieved things most wouldn’t believe. Wishing them the best moving forward. I’m excited for my next adventure!”
The 26-year-old midfielder ends his tenure in burgundy with 79 appearances, seven goals and six assists. While helping the Rapids rebuild into a top team in the west, the Texas native also revitalized his USMNT career, earning a record 21 caps in 2021.
“Kellyn has been a valuable contributor on the pitch and a model representative of our club off it since his arrival in 2018,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager, in a news release. “He was a key part of our team’s turnaround and we’re grateful to him for his contributions to the club. We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his career.”
“Kellyn is a player that has all the attributes necessary to play how we want in the midfield,” LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington said in a news release. “He provides versatility and ability to help our team immediately. He is in his prime, a fixture in our National Team, and offers the MLS experience we sought in the off-season.”
Also on Friday, a Dutch newspaper reported that Cole Bassett is soon-to-loaned to Feyenoord. The deal, which is not finalized, would last for one-and-half years and include and buy option for the Rotterdam side. The deal could be announced next week.
While the Rapids seem like they are about to lose two of their better players the crowded midfield just cleared out. Jack Price, Braian Galván, Kaye and the new signing of Max seem to be the core of 2022’s roster.
The Rapids have maneuvered around the last few days to open up cap space and acquire GAM and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM.) A source told Burgundy Wave on Friday the Rapids are looking at a striker and have narrowed down options to a shortlist of names. That list is not exclusive to players already in MLS.