RAPIDS PICK ANDRE AKPAN
Here is how the Rapids made out in the draft. They picked up 2 forwards, 1 defender, and a midfielder.
Andre Akpan, F, Harvard
Harvard’s all time leading scorer, with 47 goals and 33 assists in 72 games.’09 Ivy League Player of Year. Stands 6’1 and weighs 190 lbs.
I wonder if we were lucky to get him this low. The fact that he went from a potential top 10 pick to #22 is a little troubling. I’m going to look at the bright side. He was good enough for MLS to sign him right away. Not to mention that he was a GA candidate for the last 3 years. He is fast, can score goals, and can also assist. I think the Rapids got really lucky with this one.
Ross LaBauex, M, Virginia
Scored 10 goals and delivered 9 assists in 72 games as midfielder for UVA. Former HS All-American. Stands 5’9 and weighs 150 lbs.
This is a guy I’m really happy the Rapids drafted. He is fast, tenacious, and versatile. He still needs a little bit of work but if Coach Smith can fine tune his touch LaBauex will be an impact player.
Chad Borak, D, CSUN
Appeared in 74 matches with 2 goals and 5 assists. First Team All-Big West in ’09. Stands 6’0 and weighs 165 lbs.
Don’t know much about Borak, but CSUN has a good program and developed 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year Sean Franklin. He plays right back and had a good combine.
Chris Cutshaw, F, Bradley
Custshaw scored 32 goals and delivered 10 assists in 83 matches for Bradley. He is the fifth all-time leader in points for the Braves. He stands 6’0 and weights 164 lbs.
Don’t know much about the player but most rate him pretty highly. I guess he must have just flown under the radar and the Rapids pick him up in the 4th round. He has speed and is very talented.
Initial thoughts:
The Rapids did well to pick a player in each field position. Although there was some other talent still available, the first two picks, Akpan and LaBauex, are solid for the second round. Chad Borak and Cutshaw are relative unknowns but I have faith that Guppy and Smith did their homework.
They didn’t draft as many outside mids as I had thought. This might mean that they are looking to convert Akpan and LaBauex to wingers. Both have the speed to handle the wing and are familiar with the position. Justin Morrow would have also been a good pick up for the Rapids had they gone in that direction. I’m very surprised to see that the Rapids passed up Ofori Sarkodie in the 3rd round for Borak.
The rumor of a trade between New England and the Rapids has yet to be confirmed as there are conflicting stories. I’ll grade the draft and discuss the Rapids picks in more depth in the coming days.