COMMERCE CITY — Rapids head coach Robin Fraser saw Andre Shinyashiki for the first time on the second day of the MLS rookie combine.
“In about five minutes it was clear he was the best player at the combine,” Fraser said.
Colorado general manager Padraig Smith was similarly smitten with the University of Denver forward, trading up to the fifth overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft to grab him last winter.
In his first professional season, that promise became a reality as Shinyashiki’s striking talent produced seven goals in 31 appearances and, as was announced Tuesday, the MLS Rookie of the Year award for 2019.