The Colorado Rapids made a surprise move Friday, sending captain Sam Cronin and defender Marc Burch to Minnesota United FC in exchange for midfielders Mohammed Saeid and Josh Gatt, a league source confirmed.
The Rapids also acquired an international roster spot and freed up a significant amount of salary cap space in the deal.
The move signals that the club is comfortable sliding Nana Boateng into a starting role in central midfield, alongside Micheal Azira. Boateng was acquired this offseason from Manchester City and played the past four seasons in the Norwegian first division. He made his MLS debut as a substitute against Minnesota earlier this month.