Ethan Bandré Signs First Team Deal. Adam Beaudry Reportedly Gets Training Stint at Arsenal FC.

COMMERCE CITY – Colorado Rapids have signed Rapids 2 goalkeeper Ethan Bandré to a first team deal, the club announced Thursday evening. This is believed to be coupled with Homegrown goalkeeper Adam Beaudry going on a training stint to Arsenal FC, as first reported by Tom Bogert of The Athletic. The contract is guaranteed for 2024 with team options for 2025 and 2026.

The 25-year-old Bandré played college soccer at University of the Pacific and then Northwestern University. Prior to this year, he spent two seasons with hometown Sporting KC II in MLS NEXT Pro. He started 15 games in 2023 for Benny Feilhaber’s side, who finished third in the table. He’s started four of six league games for Rapidos so far in 2024. He’s looked good in training. He’s been playing behind a new team with a lot of younger players, who have struggled at times.

Bandré will certainly be on the bench this weekend at FC Cincinnati. R2 does not play again until May 3. Sources tell Burgundy Wave Beaudry’s stint in North London will be over by then. His trip is believed to be 11 days. Come May 12, expect the club to have their full three complement of goalkeepers available, with one of Beaudry or Bandré starting for R2.

A source familiar with his time at SKC told Burgundy Wave “he was a decent player and semi-constistent with SKCII, but never remotely close to earning a first team contract. Maybe he was good enough. But SKCII devote playing time to development especially at keeper.”

The club must have been impressed to not just use one of the short-term call ups on Bandré during this time. If Chris Sharpe sees value, Rapids fans should give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Ethan has earned the organization’s trust and belief through his performances in training and matches this season,” said Colorado Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor. “His contract with the First Team allows the club to fill a position of need in the goalkeeping group and utilizes our player development pathway in the way it was intended.”

This is a big opportunity for Beaudry. European scouts are keeping track of him. Sharpe has told Burgundy Wave if they got him in the academy two years sooner, he might already be on his way to Europe. This is a chance for him to learn at one of the powers of English football and perhaps for Arsenal to make a move in a few years like they did with Auston Trusty. If he can parlay this into bigger opportunities with the youth national team and first team minutes when Steffen is unavailable . . .

Photo Credit: John Babiak

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.