Analyzing Colorado Rapids Acquisition of Midfielder Danny Levya

On Tuesday morning, the Colorado Rapids announced that they had acquired midfielder Danny Levya on loan from the Seattle Sounders in exchange for $92,000 in general allocation money and a 3rd round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2025.

A shrewd move by Rapids president Pádraig Smith, as the Rapids were able to bring in a very talented prospect to try and address an urgent vacancy at the #6 spot.

“It was important for us to reinforce our midfield with a player of Danny’s quality as the schedule begins to get congested over the coming months,” stated Smith in a release following the deal. “Danny’s an intelligent and highly technical player who has already logged significant MLS minutes at his young age”.

Levya has shown tremendous potential throughout his young career, and at just 19, he has plenty of time to fulfill it.

He became the youngest player in Sounders history in 2019, having signed his first professional contract with the club at just sixteen years of age. Levya would make his debut later on that year, becoming the third youngest debutant in MLS history.

However, after 54 MLS appearances in four seasons, Levya became buried behind a plethora of quality midfield options in Seattle. Josh Atencio, Cristian Roldan, Joao Paulo, and Albert Rosnak are all capable of occupying Levya’s role, and it became inevitable that the young Las Vegas product was going to struggle for gametime in 2023. 

It’s clear that expectations have been high from the jump for the USMNT U-20 international, and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park may just be the place where he’s able to deliver.

Levya brings the ability to fill a position of need for Colorado, as captain Jack Price’s season ending Achilles injury has left a void in the holding midfielder slot. A right footed midfielder, Levya’s smooth passing and composure on the ball will bring a different element to a feisty Colorado midfield.

Danny Levya was able to make his debut for the Rapids, albeit an 89th minute cameo, during their 0-0 draw in Vancouver on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Seattle Sounders.