The Colorado Rapids announced on Thursday that Colin Clark, Nick LaBrocca, Jordan Harvey and Kosuke Kimura have all signed four-year deals with the club.
The following is a press release from Major League Soccer --
COMMERCE CITY, CO (Jan 30, 2009) MLS -- The Colorado Rapids announced today that the team has signed midfielders Colin Clark and Nick LaBrocca and defenders Jordan Harvey and Kosuke Kimura to new four-year contracts. Per league and team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
“I am overwhelmed that these players have committed their futures to the club,” said Rapids’ head coach Gary Smith.
“They are all talented players that we felt we needed to make a commitment to from our side as well. I am pleased that they all see that their futures are bright here and I don’t see any reason why the potential that each one of them still has within themselves can not be fulfilled here.”
Smith went on to add: “I think we are looking into the future with a lot of positivity. When you have the caliber of a player like Pablo Mastroeni committing back to the club, and now the young players that we see as the future committing as well, from my side, it is a huge boost being able to work with them in formulating our style and a format that is not only comfortable for them, but successful for the club.”
The 2008 season was a breakout year for Clark, as he recorded career-highs in games played (29), games started (26), minutes (2,325), goals (5) and assists (3). He was nominated for the MLS Goal of the Week for both his 80th minute strike against LA in the season opener and his goal at LA on June 7. The three-year veteran has appeared in 52 matches with 45 starts, registering seven goals and five assists with the Rapids.
Harvey made his professional debut in 2008, starting 13 of the 15 matches in which he appeared. He recorded his first career assist on October 25 in the season finale against Real Salt Lake. Harvey was a key member of the Rapids Reserves’ 2006 and 2007 MLS Reserve Division championships, scoring three goals and adding thee assists.
Kimura had a standout season in 2008, posting career highs in games played (18), games started (17), and minutes (1,438). His stellar play along the back line helped the team secure an unbeaten month of September play and a league-leading low of only 278 total shots allowed on goal for the entire season.
LaBrocca is the only Rapids player to have played in all 30 regular season matches in 2008. Not only did he lead the team in starts (28), but also in minutes played (2,396). LaBrocca had the game-winning goal, which was an MLS Goal of the Week nominee, in a 1-0 victory over New England on April 12. He was also voted as the Rapids’ Most Improved Player for 2008. His career numbers are 32 appearances with 29 starts and two goals while in Colorado.
