Rapids acquire defender Rafael Santos from Orlando City

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 in General Allocation Money GAM and up to an additional GAM if certain performance metrics are attained Santos is an attack-minded outside back who has played with Orlando since when he joined the MLS after spending his first minimal professional seasons with several Brazilian clubs Like current Rapids forward Rafael Navarro Santos won multiple trophies in Brazil In the MLS he s played matches through three seasons and has scored two goals to go with five assists He started of his appearances in 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 - - that beat a top crew 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 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 greater part up-to-date 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 Related Articles Darren Yapi scores first career brace lifts Rapids above playoff line with win at Minnesota Sydney Wathuta s debut a bright spot in Rapids Leagues Cup loss to Cruz Azul Rapids send star Djordje Mihailovic to Toronto FC for club-record transfer fee sources say Rapids lose to Club Tijuana in second Leagues Cup match Rapids sign center back Rob Holding from Premier League s Crystal Palace It s an compelling competitor profile for what is becoming an engaging group Since officially losing their best competitor 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 contest than the four teams ahead of them in the table so finishing seventh or above to avoid a No vs No play-in competition 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 P draig Smith The transfer window ends on Aug before rosters freeze on Sept Want more sports news Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver s teams