photo courtesy of David Grooms
Kortne Ford, the University of Denver three-year starting centerback signed a homegrown contract with the Colorado Rapids on Friday, Jan. 6.
The Greeley, Colorado native led the Pioneers to their first-ever College Cup this year. He started in all 23 regular season matches, leading the Pios to another unbeaten regular season.
The junior led the backline, finishing third in the nation in goals against average of 0.52 and a shutout percentage of 0.58.
Ford was a two-time First Team All-Summit League pick and was a Top Drawer Soccer Second Team All-American in 2016. During his third year, Ford utilized his skill in the air to register five goals, including the game-winner against No. 3 Clemson in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals.
Ford was a Rapids Academy product during his 2013-14 season before committing to the University of Denver. Ford’s contract marks the second consecutive season a Pioneer has signed a homegrown contract since Jordan Schweitzer of Everett, Washington signed with the Seattle Sounders last season.
Terms of the contract are not being disclosed at this time.
Good for him, I guess. That sucks for DU soccer next year, though. I wish Kortne well on the next level. But more importantly I hope DU finds a way to fill in the void left by his departure. He was a great anchor of the D. His last minute goal against Clemson to get DU to the final four is legend, too.
From all accounts a great guy and fantastic teammate. It is a loss but good to still have him in Denver. This also signals to potential recruits that Denver develops players to go to the next level.
Best of luck to Kortne. I am sure he will be around the campus. I just became a Rapids fan.
Good for him, I guess. That sucks for DU soccer next year, though. I wish Kortne well on the next level. But more importantly I hope DU finds a way to fill in the void left by his departure. He was a great anchor of the D. His last minute goal against Clemson to get DU to the final four is legend, too.
From all accounts a great guy and fantastic teammate. It is a loss but good to still have him in Denver. This also signals to potential recruits that Denver develops players to go to the next level.
Best of luck to Kortne. I am sure he will be around the campus. I just became a Rapids fan.
Around the world, great soccer players are often ready for the pros as teenagers, but you don’t see a lot of players jump early from college to the MLS because the most of the MLS starting salaries are under $125K. That means most college players finish out their four years and graduate, but if you really need that money for your family (and Kortne might be one of those people given his difficult family situation) then he’s doing the right thing for himself by signing. With only a year to finish his degree and staying here in town with the Colorado Rapids, DU is in a good position to work out a plan with Kortne to get that sheepskin if he wants to do that now. Or he can always finish it later.
Of course this really hurts DU, as elite center backs are hard to find and develop. Without Ford and losing Dunk to graduation, those are enormous holes to fill for a Pio team that was built around defense, so I think next year is probably not going to be as special as this last one was. Of course, I hope the Pios prove me wrong, but losing Ford, Dunk, Hamilton, Hanlin and Crosswait would hurt any team.
Around the world, great soccer players are often ready for the pros as teenagers, but you don’t see a lot of players jump early from college to the MLS because the most of the MLS starting salaries are under $125K. That means most college players finish out their four years and graduate, but if you really need that money for your family (and Kortne might be one of those people given his difficult family situation) then he’s doing the right thing for himself by signing. With only a year to finish his degree and staying here in town with the Colorado Rapids, DU is in a good position to work out a plan with Kortne to get that sheepskin if he wants to do that now. Or he can always finish it later.
Of course this really hurts DU, as elite center backs are hard to find and develop. Without Ford and losing Dunk to graduation, those are enormous holes to fill for a Pio team that was built around defense, so I think next year is probably not going to be as special as this last one was. Of course, I hope the Pios prove me wrong, but losing Ford, Dunk, Hamilton, Hanlin and Crosswait would hurt any team.