Another defender has joined the Colorado Rapids, who may soon switch from a four- to a five-defender system to finish the season.
The Rapids acquired left back Rafael Santos from Orlando City on Friday in exchange for $125,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) and up to an additional $200,000 2026 GAM if certain performance metrics are attained.
Santos, 27, is an attack-minded outside back who has played with Orlando since 2023, when he joined the MLS after spending his first few professional seasons with several Brazilian clubs.
Like current Rapids forward Rafael Navarro, Santos won multiple trophies in Brazil. In the MLS, he’s played 75 matches through three seasons and has scored two goals to go with five assists. He started 23 of his 26 appearances in 2023, when Orlando finished second in the regular season and made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Rapids have preferred attacking outside backs to pair with talented wingers to facilitate offense on the flanks. But this move, which adds to an already-solid left back core of Sam Vines and Jackson Travis — both also attack-minded — could signal a full switch to the 3-4-3 that beat a top team in Minnesota United last week.
The change came after the departure of attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, whom the Rapids’ offense was based around since his 2024 arrival. Both goals against Minnesota came via end-to-end transition started by the defense. One was assisted by Vines.
Santos could provide something Vines and Travis don’t necessarily have in their arsenal, however. His most recent assist for Orlando is a solid example. It came with him hanging around the top of the formation as if he were a forward. He received a long ball at the outside edge of the penalty box and put a quality ball into the mixer for a goal. Vines and Travis usually only get up into those areas when the play builds up over time.
It’s an interesting player profile for what is becoming an interesting team. Since officially losing their best player, the Rapids have had two strong performances and have shown they can finish this season on a high note.
With eight games to go, the Rapids are in eighth place in the Western Conference. They’ve played at least one more game than the four teams ahead of them in the table, so finishing seventh or above to avoid a No. 8 vs. No. 9 play-in game could become tricky. But the schedule is favorable.
Santos is the third defender to arrive in the secondary transfer window since Chidozie Awaziem departed in July, joining center backs Noah Cobb and Rob Holding.
As of a week ago, the Rapids still had multiple ongoing discussions and offers out, according to president Pádraig Smith. The transfer window ends on Aug. 21 before rosters freeze on Sept. 12.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.