Columbus Crew acquire center back Gustavo Vallecilla on loan from Colorado
Bailey Johnson
The Crew have found a new center back.
Since trading Jonathan Mensah to San Jose in early February, the club has been on a quest to bolster its center back depth. On Friday, the Crew acquired center back Gustavo Vallecilla on an intra-league loan for the 2023 season from the Colorado Rapids, in exchange for $175,000 in general allocation money. The Crew have an option to make the loan a permanent acquisition at the end of the season.
Vallecilla, 23, started seven matches for the Rapids last season and appeared in 12, playing a total of 567 minutes.
"Gustavo is a promising young center back and we are excited to welcome him," Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement. "Gustavo provides depth and a different profile along the back line, and we know his addition will strengthen our defensive corps as he competes for minutes."
A native of Ecuador, Vallecilla began his professional career with Ecuadorian club Deportivo Cuenca in 2016 and moved to MLS in 2021, joining FC Cincinnati on loan from SD Aucas. He started 25 games for Cincinnati in 2021 and scored two goals, leading Cincinnati to buy Vallecilla at the end of his loan. In March 2022, Cincinnati traded Vallecilla to Colorado.
Vallecilla will occupy an international slot on the Crew's roster. With the acquisition of Vallecilla, the Crew have 27 players under contract for 2023, with three roster slots still available.