The Colorado Rapids made a surprise move Friday, sending captain Sam Cronin and defender Marc Burch to Minnesota United FC in exchange for midfielders Mohammed Saeid and Josh Gatt.
The Rapids also acquired an international roster spot and freed up a significant amount of salary-cap space in a deal that points to a shift in mind-set toward a more attacking brand of soccer.
“We feel like we were trading from a position of depth in both of these areas,” Rapids sporting director Padraig Smith said. “We feel like the upside of what we’ve brought in and the financial flexibility it gives us on the cap to continue to target an offensive threat is going to be a positive for the club in the future.”
Known for their league-best defense last year, the trade is the first step toward remaking the Rapids into an attacking threat.
“We want to be a more offensive-minded team,” Smith said. “In Saeid we have one of the best passers in the league. We have a player who is consistently looking forward with his passes and completes a huge number of those passes between the lines and breaks lines, which is an important component.”
Saeid, 26, is in his third MLS season. He has appeared in 53 games (45 starts) with no goals and six assists, all of which came at his previous club, Columbus Crew SC.
With a significant amount of cap space cleared, Smith said Colorado is now free to chase its main attacking targets. He said the club hopes to do something before the transfer window closes May 8, but could strike a deal during the summer window that opens July 10 when European teams are in their offseason.
“We’ve identified a number of key targets and the additional financial flexibility this deal gives us will put us in a position to execute on those plans,” Smith said.
The move also signals that the club is comfortable sliding midfielder Nana Boateng into a starting role in central midfield, alongside Micheal Azira. Boateng was acquired this offseason from Manchester City and played the past four seasons in the Norwegian first division. He made his MLS debut as a substitute against Minnesota earlier this month.
“We feel like he’s ready to come in and make a very positive impact for us on the field,” Smith said of Boateng.
Cronin, a 30-year-old defensive midfielder, was a key piece of the Rapids’ staunch defense last season that allowed the fewest goals in MLS. The Rapids technically waived Cronin because CBA rules did not allow for him to be traded since he re-signed as a free agent in 2016. Minnesota had the top slot in the waiver order and immediately claimed Cronin.
Smith said it was a difficult decision to part with the Rapids’ captain, but felt the team had the right locker room makeup to deal with the loss.
“We pride ourselves here on the locker room environment that Pablo has built and that the players have really grabbed hold of and run with,” Smith said.
Burch, 32, last year had one of the best seasons of his 11-year MLS career. The left back started a career-high 27 games and added three assists.
His departure opens the door for Trinidad and Tobago international Mekeil Williams to grab a starting spot.
“We have an international left back in Mekeil Williams on the roster as well, so we feel comfortable in that spot,” Smith said, noting the club also has Eric Miller, Dennis Castillo and Dillon Serna as options at left back.
Gatt, 25, is a right winger who has yet to appear in MLS. He posted 15 goals and 15 assists in 75 games abroad in Norway and Austria. He has appeared in two games with the U.S. national team, but has struggled with injuries throughout his career.
“Yes, he’s has his injury troubles in the past,” Smith said. “But from an upside perspective from what he can bring, we think he’s an exciting addition on the attacking side and it gives Pablo another option on that side.”
