Sam Cronin, seen here last season in a math against the Colorado Rapids, played over 62 matches for the club over the last two seasons (photo credit: Corbin Elliott)
Rapids Trade Cronin and Burch to Minnesota for Saeid and Gatt
Colorado Rapids have traded Captain Sam Cronin and starting full-back Marc Burch to Minnesota United FC in exchange for midfielder Mohammed Saeid, attacker Josh Gatt and an international player slot.
Officially Sam Cronin was dropped to waivers where he will be immediately claimed by Minnesota. Cronin resigned with Colorado as a Free Agent in 2016 and the CBA rules made it so that Cronin could not be traded to another MLS team, thus the roundabout way of trading him to the Loons.
The move makes sense for both clubs as Minnesota is able to bolster their ailing defense with Marc Burch, while Sam Cronin has excelled at sitting just in front of, and protecting, the back four over the course of his career, but to even greater effect over the past two seasons. For Colorado, Saied and Gatt should improve the Rapids anemic offense while also helping the team get younger.
Mohammed Saied, 26, has three years of MLS experience having previously played for Minnesota United FC (seen here) and Columbus Crew SC (photo credit: Diego Diaz/Prost Amerika)
Adding Mohammed Saeid to the midfield should give the Rapids attack an immediate boost. Colorado has struggled to find killer passes in the final third to cap off possession or decent build up play. Saeid has both the vision and the passing ability to improve the Rapid attack and is an upgrade to Dillon Powers who has filled in as Colorado’s number ten early in the 2017 season but struggled to provide an offensive spark.
In 2016 Jermaine Jones played that role for Colorado and the Rapids attack looked much more dangerous when Jones was on the pitch. Saied, who spent two seasons with Columbus Crew from 2015 to 2016, should return some of that bite for the Rapids and will help take pressure off players like Shkelzen Gashi and Kevin Doyle, who have looked frustrated at times, trying to create an attacking threat out of nothing.
Talking about Saeid, Rapids Sporting Director Padraig Smith said “Mohammed is a proven talent in MLS and has a successful track record in the league. His passing quality is of the highest level and his ability to find passes between the lines and move the team forward are key qualities we want in our club.”
Josh Gatt is a lesser known quantity in MLS but has a promising future, if the 25 year old can stay healthy. Gatt spent five seasons with Molde FK in Norway’s first division and helped the club win back-to-back championships in his first two seasons with the Norwegian side. Gatt signed with Minnesota ahead of the 2017 season and hadn’t made a regular season appearance for the Loons prior to the trade. Gatt, a Michigan native, has earned two caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team and was on the preliminary roster for the 2013 Gold Cup, but was left out due to an injured knee. “Although Josh has had injury issues in the past his talent is without question.” Said Padraig Smith. “He brings pace and an attacking boldness which will provide our coaching staff with another weapon on attack.”
While Colorado’s attack has been bolstered the trade has removed to full time starters from the Rapid line up. Sam Cronin played in all but two matches in 2016 and only missed those two due to yellow card accumulation. Cronin’s leadership, grit and partnership with Michael Azira will be difficult to replicate and the stout Rapid defense may be vulnerable as they adjust to life without their captain providing protection in the middle of the pitch.
Offseason signing Nana Boateng should become Azira’s new defensive midfield partner and though Nana has the skill set to be a deep lying, box to box midfielder for the Rapids, the young Ghanian may not be ready to shoulder Cronin’s organizational duties.
Marc Burch, in a match earlier this season against Sporting Kansas City, will leave a huge hole in the defense for the Rapids (photo credit: Corbin Elliott)
Marc Burch was also a permanent starter in Pablo Mastroeni’s starting eleven and besides being Colorado’s best full back, Burch also provided some of the most dangerous crosses for the Rapids attack. Playing behind Shkelzen Gashi on the left side of the pitch Burch often found the space to push up and aid the Colorado offense, especially when the Rapids played at home and carried more possession. Eric Miller and Mikeil Williams have done a passable job playing on the defensive flanks for Colorado, but Burch was fantastic on the left side for the Rapids and Williams will have big boots to fill going forward.
Colorado has some youth potential in defense but it may be a while before players like Kortne Ford and Dennis Castillo have developed enough to impact the Rapids first team.
Pablo Mastroeni had kind words for the departing players saying “Sam and Marc formed part of the foundation that helped the Rapids achieve one of the best seasons in club history, they were both valuable members of our team and our community and I’m confident they will have plenty of success for years to come.”
Padraig Smith echoed Mastroeni’s sentiment saying “We would like to thank Sam and Marc for their contributions during their time in Colorado. They are both top professionals who always give everything for the team. As our captain Sam was a leader for our club both on and off the field and his contributions to the club will be long remembered. We wish both Sam and Marc the best of luck in the future.”
It will be interesting to see how Colorado adjusts to a new look line up that has a less defensive set up and fans will get their first look on April 9th when the Rapids travel to Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting KC.
Sam Cronin’s vacant armband is up for grabs as well. There are several players who are worthy candidates to take over the captaincy, but with the Secretary of Defense organizing a defensive minded team from goal, it’s difficult to imagine anyone but Tim Howard taking that over that responsibility for the Rapids.
Colorado Rapids
Minnesota United FC
