LAFC is saying goodbye to one of its key players.
LAFC on Tuesday made a move that is sure to raise some eyebrows, as they sent midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $1 million in General Allocation Money and a 2022 MLS first round superdraft pick. LAFC could also receive more allocation money from Colorado depending on how Kaye performs with Colorado.
“Mark has been an incredible player and ambassador for LAFC since he helped launch this Club in 2018,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said in a statement. “He has grown into a leader on and off the field and will always be remembered as a fundamental building block of our Club. We are thankful to him for all of his contributions and will remember him and wish him and his wife Rachel all the best in Colorado.”
An LAFC original, Kaye came over from the USL’s Louisville City and quickly established himself in LAFC’s midfield, forming a potent central midfield duo with Eduard Atuesta. Kaye was an MLS All-Star in 2019 and his performance over three and a half seasons in the Black and Gold was instrumental in LAFC’s run to the Supporters Shield in 2019 and the CONCACAF Champions League Final in 2020.
Kaye leaves LAFC with quite a resume, having started 71 of the 77 games he played in, scored nine goals and had 17 helpers. Kaye, who is Canadian, is currently with the Canadian national team competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada has made the semifinals of the Gold for the first time since it won the tournament in 2000, and faces its biggest test to date, as they will square off with Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Thursday.
