The Colorado Rapids appear intent on making a big splash this offseason, with an ESPN FC report surfacing Friday indicating that they’re vying for the services of US international and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard a day after being rebuffed in an attempt to land fellow national teamer Alejandro Bedoya.
The Rapids acquired the top spot in the MLS allocation order from the Chicago Fire during Thursday’s SuperDraft, with reports surfacing that they were pushing to land Bedoya from French club Nantes FC. But later Thursday, according to the ESPN FC report, Colorado general manager Paul Bravo said Nantes had no intention of making Bedoya available this transfer window.
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Howard, the USMNT’s No. 1 in the past two World Cups, reached iconic status in US soccer lore with his 15-save round-of-16 performance against Belgium in Brazil 2014. After that performance he took a year-long sabbatical from the team but returned towards the end of the year to make two appearances
Howard, who is signed with the club through 2018, has struggled recently with Everton. This has led to calls for backup Joel Robles to be inserted into the lineup. Manager Roberto Martinez said this week that it was “impossible to say” whether the 36-year-old would return to Everton next season.
The 36-year-old signed with the Merseyside club back in 2007 and has made over 400 appearances with Everton in all competitions.
Colorado are also reportedly close to landing Mexico forward Alan Pulido on a one-year loan from Olympiacos.
