Free Agent Omir Fernandez Signs With Colorado Rapids

COMMERCE CITY – The Colorado Rapids have signed free agent Omir Fernandez, the club announced Wednesday morning. The former New York Red Bulls attacker has penned a three-year deal with a club option for 2027. 

The Bronx native has been with the RBNY organization since 2011. Fernandez spent two years at Wake Forest University before signing with New York Red Bulls in January 2019. He was an unused sub in that wild 5-4 win for the Rapids in August 2022.

He has mostly played right wing, but has also been a center forward and attacking midfielder. He will turn 25-years-old in February. In five MLS seasons, he has 15 goals and 13 assists in 112 appearances. In 2023, he had six goals and four assists in 1,754 minutes.

Unless they tripled his salary, this is a fantastic move. Fernandez had a total compensation of $173,000 in 2023. He is one of the youngest free agents in MLS history. There hard to be other suitors for him.

Chris Armas being the new coach of the Rapids might have been the difference maker. Armas became an assistant at RBNY when Fernandez was still in the academy. He was the head coach by the time Fernandez signed for the first team. Armas was dismissed 18 months later.

Fernandez should walk into the starting lineup at right wing in a 4-3-3 formation. His FBRef stats show a good presser, not as much linkup play. His goal production nearly matches his expected goals. Not many Rapids players could say that.

If Armas can get more out of him than other RBNY managers, Fernandez could be a really good building block for years to come. Don’t expect him to be Diego Rubio’s replacement. If he’s a more productive and cheaper winger than others the Rapids have had recently, this offseason is off to an improved start.

Photo Credit: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images

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