Sam Vines Bought Out, Waived by Colorado Rapids

Commerce City, Colo. – On Saturday evening, Colorado Rapids confirmed that they have bought out and waived left back Sam Vines. The Rapids Homegrown spent six seasons with the Rapids, split by two years at Royal Antwerp. He played 116 matches all comps, recording three goals and seven assists.

The timing of this announcement is a surprise, coming the day before the season opener. That said, it provides clarity to one of the biggest talking points going into the season. Colorado had three left backs before this move. Sam Vines had been poor in his two years back from Europe. He’d been benched for Jackson Travis at times last year. Miguel Navarro was brought back as competition.

Vines was one of the worst contracts on the team at $912,500, more than Cole Bassett or Zack Steffen. Were the Rapids going to try and make it work for a third season in a row? They cut bait early, making a decision they felt was best for all parties. Buying Vines out negates his contract which was a 4-year deal through 2027, meaning there’s no financial burden from that for a new club trying to sign him.

Sammy Vines will be on an MLS roster in 2026 if he wants to be. There will probably be a pay cut with his contract with that new team. He probably needs to go to a team that will play him at wingback in front of three center backs. I hope he can regain his 2021 Vines Back form that was so fun and good. It’s been four years and some big injuries. I’m not sure if that player is still there.

This does hurt given the club also recently traded Cole Bassett. The club is willing to make big and tough decision to support Wells and make the team better. Even if these were the right decisions, it’s bittersweet. The club has a romanticism of Homegrowns and Colorado natives. That died on some level with this news.

Matt Wells has told the media, “Judge us at the end of the (transfer) window. Not in the middle of it.”

Fair enough. Colorado’s now paid $900,000 out of pocket to part ways with Vines. They’ve gotten an initial $2.65 million for Bassett. They’ve only signed Navarro on a free loan this month. They have four weeks and change to make moves to improve the team and convince fans that cutting ties with Bassett and Vines were a means to an ends.

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