Colorado Rapids add highly-rated Brazilian left back
Colorado Rapids sign replacement for Sam Vines
This year, the Colorado Rapids have carried themselves into a top four spot in a highly competitive Western Conference in large part due to a backline that has been very solid. They added yet another piece to that puzzle with a Friday announcement of the signing of Lucas Esteves.
The left back comes in to MLS on loan and replaces Sam Vines, who was transferred this week to Royal Antwerp in Belgium’s top flite. Esteves turned 21-years old this summer.
Esteves has extensive experience as both a left midfielder and a left back for Palmeiras, historically one of the biggest clubs in all of Brazil. He has played in Serie A as well as cup action and even Libertadores for the first division side.
“Lucas is an athletic and technically gifted left back with top-level experience in South America,” Colorado Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith said via a team press release. “We’re thrilled to add a player of his quality to our group and look forward to welcoming him to Colorado.”
The club, which has won the Brazilian league 10 times and Copa Libertadores twice, has a strong track record of producing young players.
The Colorado Rapids are currently 8-4-3 (27 points) and are in fourth place in the Western Conference. They are four points clear of Los Angeles FC who are in fifth place. LA Galaxy are directly ahead of the Rapids by four points.
The Rapids have played two fewer games than both the Los Angeles clubs.
The fit for the Colorado Rapids
With the loss of Vines, a United States international and one of the top outside backs in all of MLS, the Rapids needed a left back who could defend well when isolated outside but could bring an overlapping ability.
In Esteves, the Rapids have an outside back who has the versatility to play in the midfield but who also can stay at home and defend. He also has experience, making 27 appearances for the club since he broke through into the senior team in 2019.
He also spent time training with the Brazilian national team ahead of this summer’s Copa America. Brazil finished as runner-ups in the tournament to Argentina.