MLS Offseason: Anthony Wallace Leaves, Immediately Comes Back - Rapids Pick Up Nyassi From Vancouver

The Colorado Rapids have acquired midfielder Joseph Nane from Toronto FC for a natural third round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

The native of Cameroon played in 11 games for Toronto last season, starting eight, and registered 614 minutes for the club. During his rookie campaign last season, Nane contributed eight shots, one of which went on goal. His final tally for the season did not include a goal or an assists, though he did register an Own Goal.

The 22 year old was originally selected out of Old Dominion University by TFC in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, going 53^rd overall.

In a pre-draft move, Colorado apparently exchanged words with the Portland Timbers allowing them to receive Anthony Wallace back after being picked in exchange for allocation money.

In addition midfielder Sanna Nyassi, former Seattle Sounders player and first round draft pick of the Vancouver Whitecaps, has been traded to Colorado in exchange for an international slot.

The 21-year-old Nyassi scored two goals in 26 appearances for the Sounders last season, 16 of those appearances being starts. It’s nice to see young guys with potential in an area of the field for the Rapids right now dominated by older guys like Pablo Mastroeni, Brian Mullan and Jamie Smith.

As expected, Rapids defender Anthony Wallace was taken by the Portland Timbers in the 4th round of today’s expansion draft. He was the only Rapids player taken as Wells Thompson was auto-protected immediately after and neither the Vancouver Whitecaps nor the Timbers deemed any other Colorado players as being worth it.

While looking for heroics and making a great play happen to lead to an eventual own goal by Dallas defender George John, Macoumba Kandji went to the ground unable to stand and celebrate. In fact, he was so bad that he was forced to roll to the sidelines unable to even hobble. After the game it was revealed that the hard tackle from Ugo Ihelmu as the shot went from Kandji’s foot resulted in an ACL tear. You can see Kandji’s knee bend the wrong way on the play, not for the squeamish.

ACL surgery usually involves a 6-9 month recovery time – although athletes are usually in better shape and equipped with better trainers and physicians than the average Joe tearing his ACL on the streets – which could mean he may miss the beginning of the next season. The only thing we know for sure is that he will no doubt be on the roster next season as he was protected by the Rapids from the expansion draft and is most likely being groomed to be our speedy outside forward of the future if Omar Cummings jumps ship or retires.

Best wishes to Mac and to a speedy recovery for the man.