Colorado Rapids acquire midfielder Josh Atencio from Seattle Sounders for $1.3 million in GAM

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids made another February sprint ahead of the season kickoff on Tuesday with a pair of moves which changed the composition of the roster.

First, the Rapids sold an international roster slot to arch rivals Real Salt Lake but acquired $275,000 out of the deal. Burgundy Wave was the first to report that. Mere hours later, the Rapids acquired 23-year-old defensive midfielder Josh Atencio from the Seattle Sounders for $1.3 million in GAM, with the possibility of another $300,000 in conditional GAM depending on performances. Seattle will retain a sell-on clause.

Givemesport’s Tom Bogert was the first to confirm the Atencio news late this afternoon and other local outlets were on it shortly after. The move was formally announced at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Atencio will occupy an Under-22 Initiative roster slot, joining Cole Bassett and new winger Teddy Ku-DiPietro. It was also announced that his contract will run through the 2027 MLS season with a club option for 2028.

Connections to Colorado

Atencio broke into the Sounders’ academy system and played significant minutes for the Rave Green across five seasons, with 111 total appearances across multiple competitions. He played at the 2024 Summer Olympics alongside attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailović and got his first senior men’s national team call-up in January 2024. Other connections are that Chris Little was the Sounders’ academy coach while Atencio was coming up through the system.

Colorado’s strategy of selling international slots has paid off in a big way, as The Denver Post’s Braidon Nourse reported earlier today. The Rapids traded four international slots this offseason and has earned in return $725,000 in GAM and two first-round MLS SuperDraft picks.

“We’re delighted to welcome Josh to the Rapids,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids President in a statement. “He’s a young, talented midfielder who has already gained significant MLS experience and has the potential and mentality to take his game to another level. His defensive instincts, athletic profile, and composure in possession will strengthen our midfield. Josh’s work ethic and tactical intelligence make him a great fit for our system, and we’re looking forward to seeing him in burgundy.”

Shoring up midfield

As far as the lineup is concerned, Atencio could slot into the defensive midfield role alongside Bassett and play a double pivot, while Mihailovic, Connor Ronan, Oli Larraz, Sam Bassett and Ali Fidal will round out the center of the pitch. It certainly gives Chris Armas more options, while from a roster standpoint, defensive midfielder was a position of significant need heading into the start of the season as Colorado has not had a nailed-down d-mid starter since the Jack Price era ended in 2023.

Regarding the trade, Colorado acquired $225,000 in 2025 GAM and $50,000 in 2026 GAM, and you’d have to imagine the $225,000 in GAM went to Seattle as part of the Atencio acquisition a few hours later.

Burgundy Wave will break down the roster with a full analysis ahead of Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup first leg vs. LAFC.

Photo Credit: Steven Bisig, USA TODAY Sports

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