Colorado Rapids acquire impressive draft pick haul from Philadelphia Union

In one of the more unique trades in league history, Padraig Smith and the Rapids acquired every pick that Union owns in the next three drafts

If the Colorado Rapids are on the phone, asking for a unique trade package, it’s best to hang up and move on. It is unlikely to age well for your team. Just ask Real Salt Lake, who Colorado swindled for a permanent international roster slot in 2005. Philadelphia may be feeling the same soon.

Colorado was busy during the MLS Half Day Trade Window on Monday, completing a two-player trade with Cincinnati before the Rapids acquired eight draft picks from the Union, the entirety of Philadelphia’s picks in the 2025, 2026, and 2027 MLS SuperDrafts. With Union’s second round pick already in hand, Padraig Smith acquired a first and a third round pick in 2025 and firsts, seconds, and thirds in 2026 and 2027.

Philadelphia will receive $350,000 in General Allocation Money, which could increase to a total of $600,000 if certain conditions are met. The payments will be split into three, with Colorado sending $125,000 in 2025 and 2026 and $100,000 in 2027.

While Union may be punting on the draft, the Rapids are going all in fresh off selling 2022 first-round pick Moise Bombito to OGC Nice for nearly $8 million in July. If one of those eight picks turns into even a solid MLS rotation piece, the asking price from Philadelphia was well worth it. If it’s an All Star level player, like Bombito became in his second season, the trade could become a legendary steal in MLS circles.