Some 2024 MLS SuperDraft Prospects for the Colorado Rapids

COMMERCE CITY – So the 2024 MLS SuperDraft is tomorrow. The Colorado Rapids have six picks, including four in the first round and two of the first four. Burgundy Wave’s staff know what the Rapids look for and how they strategize around the draft. Let’s look at some prospective selections.

Remember, the rules around the SuperDraft have changed. Academic juniors and sophomores are now draft eligible. The only true freshman can be Generation Adidas players. MLS teams also retain the player’s rights for two years. With Rapids 2 off a good season with older players who are moving up or out, there’s space on the NEXT Pro roster. Sophomores and juniors could also elect to stay in school then sign.

This is the first time since 2000 (the first ever SuperDraft) that the club has three picks in the first 15. It’s the first time ever they have two of the top five.

Generation Adidas should be the priority for #2 or #4.

Pádraig Smith loves GA contracts. From a roster rules standpoint, they’re basically homegrowns. Would be shocking if the Rapids don’t take a GA player with one of their top two picks. MLS hasn’t announced this year’s GA class, but there’s three names getting chatter already.

Stephen Annor Gymfi, Freshman, Forward, University of Virginia, Accra, Ghana: A lanky fast striker. ACC Freshman of the Year and All ACC-First Team. Led a blue blood program with 10 goals. Should be a future MLS starter for sure.

Kimani Stewart-Baynes, Freshman, Forward, Maryland, Toronto, Ontario: Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Top Drawer Soccer Freshmen Best XI Second Team. He was at the College Showcase, so have to believe he wants to turn pro this year. Toronto FC does have the first overall pick though.

Papa Mar Boye, Freshman, Center Back, Clemson, Dakar, Senegal: Ok, the last Clemson draft pick didn’t work out but the last Senegalese one did. And he’s played for Senegalese beach soccer team, so his footwork has to be good. Right footed Moïse Bombito anyone?

Since this article was published, MLS has announced the Generation Adidas class and two pre-signed seniors. Boye is the one player who did not sign a GA contract. He is presumably ineligible for this year’s draft.

The best senior at each position is usually an MLS starter.

College soccer still produces MLS starting caliber players. Look around the league. There’s plenty of quality domestic players with big roles who were drafted. Usually center backs, goalkeepers, and defensive midfielders. Forward less so. Let’s take a look at some of the best.

Osmane Sylla, Senior, Midfielder, Clemson, Dakar, Senegal: 13 goals and 10 assists in 23 games as a senior. MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist. The other two already have their MLS rights decided (one drafted last year, one signed as a HG this year). Probably the best midfielder eligible for the draft. What if Diego Rubio’s replacement came from the draft?

Jeorgio Kocevski, Senior, Midfielder, Syracuse, Liverpool, NY: Syracuse captain. Led the team with 12 assists. A midfielder who can ping balls from a deeper position and can grow a beard. Sound familiar?

Bryan Dowd, Senior, Goalkeeper, Notre Dame, Willow Springs, IL: The only goalkeeper to be named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. Two-sport athlete as he was a punter for the Fighting Irish. Bet on Marko Ilić, let Adam Beaudry play with R2 and save money on the bench keeper for the first team?

Hosei Kijima, Senior, Midfielder, Wake Forest, Yokohama, Japan: Watching his film, he basically did for the Demon Decans what Yosuke Hayna did for R2 this year. Willing to float outside. Could they convert him to a tucked in winger? Let him and Hanya cook?

The now eligible underclassmen might be projects.

MLS expanding the draft this year was fortuitous. The Rapids still put stock in the draft and have six picks. RSL is the only other team with more than four. They have six selections, but four are in the later rounds, their first pick isn’t till #16. Colorado is loaded and front loaded.

Their scouting team has dossiers on players they weren’t expecting to be draft eligible for two years. Time to cash in on those all-nighters Chris Zitterbart spent being a college soccer sicko watching Western Michigan play Hofstra.

Keep in mind, some of these guys might elect to return to college then go pro. If they do sign first team deals for 2024, they could well spend most of the year with R2.

Wayne Frederick, Sophomore, M/D, Duke, Cabin John, MD: Maybe the most versatile player in the draft. Center back/defensive mid hybrid? Spent some time with Bethesda SC in MLS Next, so the Rapids maybe have been scouting him for years at this point.

Kevin Bonilla, Junior, Right Back, Portland, Dallas, TX: Probably the best underclassman wingback available. He was part of the FC Dallas Academy, so pipping him and turning him into starter would be fun. If Sebastian Anderson doesn’t re-sign, not a bad backup to Keegan Rosenberry.

Matthew Bell, Junior, Forward, Marshall, Kingston, Jamaica: A winger with 20 goals and 16 assists in two years, 39 games for a Thundering Herd side that has been contending in college soccer for years.

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Junior, Midfielder, Washington, Berkeley, CA: Tried to find a wide midfielder option that should be available by the time Colorado’s third pick comes up.

Jacob Murrell, Sophomore, Forward, Georgetown, Forest Hill, MD: Another center forward option. His goals tend to come in bunches rather than spread out over a season. Brian Wiese has been coaching there since 2006, so maybe fellow Hoya Keegan Rosenberry knows something.

Oje Ofunrein, Junior, Forward, Denver, Round Rock, TX: Had to throw a DU kid in here. He was a livewire in the Pioneer games I saw. If the Rapids are taking a kid with Colorado roots in this draft, it’s probably him.

Prediction Time!

First Round #2: Stephen Annor Gymfi or Kimani Stewart-Baynes. Whichever one Toronto doesn’t take.

First Round #4: Osmane Sylla.

First Round #12: If there’s still a for sure first year contributor on the board, him. If not, traded for GAM.

First Round #21: The highest upside underclassman on their shortlist.

Second Round #2 (#31 Overall): ????

Third Round #2 (#60 Overall): Pass. There won’t be any players on their board left.

Photo Credit: Rapids 2.

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. If you want to support us, join our Patreon starting at $5/month. Also, we’re always looking for new talent to contribute to the site, develop, and give opportunities to. If you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer in any way, let us know.