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On Friday, September 18, Ives Galarcep broke the news that the Colorado Rapids were sending Kei Kamara to Minnesota United FC. Jeff Carlisle of ESPN added that the Rapids will get $150,000 in general allocation money and a 2022 second-round pick in return.
Rapids Head Coach Robin Fraser confirmed the move in the media availability later that day, saying that they wished Kei well and that this would give Andre Shinyashiki and Diego Rubio more opportunities. Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager agreed, saying that “the Rapids would like to thank Kei for his contributions to the club and wish him all the best in the next step of his career.”
Ahead of the Rapids’ match vs. LA Galaxy on Saturday afternoon, the Rapids officially announced that the veteran forward was heading to the Loons, his 8th club in his MLS career. Kamara was with Colorado for the entire 2019 season, scoring 14 goals and adding one assist in 29 games. In 2020, Kamara has put in three goals with one assist, but was getting less playing time overall and did not feature at all in the last two matches.
The other roster news that came out on Friday was that Colorado were signing free agent defender Steven Beitashour (credit to Tom Bogert). According to Bogert, Beitashour would be depth for the left back position behind Sam Vines.
Beitashour has been a right back for most of his career and was with LAFC for the previous two seasons. The 33-year-old has won Supporters’ Shields with three different teams and was with Toronto FC when they were the MLS Cup runner-ups in 2016 and won in 2017 (along with Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, and Robin Fraser). Beitashour also has six caps for the Iran Men’s National Team and was on the 2014 FIFA World Cup roster. (He was born in California to Iranian parents, therefore does not require an international spot.)
He became a free agent at the end of the 2019 season but made it very clear in an interview with MLSSoccer.com that he still wanted to play soccer.
“As our season enters a congested period with multiple games per week, we’re delighted to be able to reinforce our roster with an experienced and decorated player like Steven,” said Smith. “Steven not only provides depth to our left back and right back positions, he also brings championship-winning experience that will be immensely valuable as our team continues to make a push for the playoffs.”
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
